Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

In April this year I am travelling to Nepal to complete the Annapurna base camp trek, raising money for Tyneside womens health charity and raising awareness of the benefits outdoor activities have on mental health and general wellbeing

The trek

C10 days and c70 miles (tbc), the ABC trek is in the heart of the Himalayas  surrounded by the most awesome and tallest mountains in the world. The trek is demanding and will be a test of mental resilience as wealth as strength 

The charity 

Tyneside Women’s Health is a charity and was set up in 1985 to provide mental health support to women in a women-only environment. And I have the great privilege to be a trustee for the charity 

Our charity’s vision is a society that is free from mental health stigma, in which all women and girls feel included and empowered, and our aim is to help women and girls to improve their mental health and emotional wellbeing.

Outdoor activities are an important tool in promoting and maintaining happiness and wellbeing, and improving overall mental health 

Through this trek I’m looking to achieve 2 things

1. Raising funds for Tyneside womens health will allow them to explore and fund more outdoor activities to compliment the range of services they offer to women across the north east. Safe green spaces for women are not always obvious or accessible, and this funding will go some way to establish safe outdoor places for women and girls to thrive
2. To raise awareness of the benefits to all of us of taking part in outdoor activities. A trek to Annapurna base camp, a trek to the local shop, a walk in nature, a round of golf, gardening… the benefits of being outdoors are scientifically proven and include:
• Reducing stress
• Increases immunity
• Builds creativity
• Sharpens focus
• Improves sleep
• Increases energy 
• It also makes you a little bit more interesting (ok this isn’t a scientific benefit but it’s still true!)

So my challenge to you all is to a)donate - yes please but also b) increase your outdoor activity, even by one more a week, encourage your nearest and dearest to get outdoors, and if you lead teams get your people outdoors and reap the benefits !!

Thanks