I was devastated when I was diagnosed with hepatitis C in September 2002.  When my GP told me, I found it hard to comprehend that I had been living with a potentially life threatening illness (frequently dubbed "the time-bomb virus") for around 23 years.  I had to make some rapid lifestyle changes and undergo 6 months of gruelling treatment before finally being discharged by the hospital and declared "cured" in December 2006.

Now, as Helpline Manager at the Hepatitis C Trust, I speak to people every single day who have been affected by hepatitis C in some way.  Hepatitis C is frequently symptomless for many years and sadly many people are only diagnosed when serious liver disease has set in, meaning that their options for successful treatment or management of the disease have been reduced.  This is due to a lack of public awareness about this disease and it is this that the Hepatitis C Trust seeks to address through its work in the UK.

There are at least 500,000 people in the UK who are unaware, like I was, that they are carrying the virus. At present only 50,000 have been diagnosed. Because this is an infectious disease, it is fast becoming a major public health crisis. Therefore, the Hepatitis C Trust are beginning a public awareness campaign which we hope to run across TV, radio, newspapers and the internet - this is expensive but essential and means that the money raised by the trek will ultimately be used for the purpose of saving lives.

You will also directly help the people of Nepal.  Community Action Treks (CAT) who provide the trekking arrangments, support the restoration of local monasteries, build schools and health posts and install clean water supplies in the mountain villages of Nepal, one of the poorest countries in the world.

I will be part of a team of 9 people, all of whom are affected by hepatitis C, trekking over 100km through the foothills of the Himalayas (up to altitude of 3500m) for 8 days.

I really appreciate your interest and support.  Please dig deep and sponsor me online.

Donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to sponsor me: The Hepatitis C Trust will receive your money faster and, if you are a UK taxpayer, an extra 28% in tax will be added to your gift at no cost to you.

Many thanks

Sam