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On the 4th March this year, John and I are travelling out to Nepal to trek to the Everest Base Camp. 

The trek to Everest base camp takes between 12 and 14 days. Starting at 2800m we trek as high as 5545m and are regularly treking at altitudes of over 4000m.

It's a challenge both of us have aspired to complete for some time and we thought we would do it now when we're both in peak fitness;-)

It also struck us as a good opportunity to raise some money for charity. To be completely clear John and mines trip is completely self funded and every penny donated will go to charity. 

The charity I wanted to raise money for, and John acquiesced, is Corrymeela. For those of you who supported me last year when I completed the Edinburgh marathon you probably have some awareness of what Corrymeela does. For those of you who don't Corrymeela is a very worthwhile charity. It works to promote peace and reconciliation in Northern Ireland and also throughout the wider world.

Throughout the troubles Corrymeela, through its centre in Ballycastle offered a safe place where Protestants and Catholics could meet on neutral ground, be it schools groups, community groups, religious groups, politicians, or even former paramilitaries. Often the contacts made would be far reaching and long lasting.

While Northern Ireland has made great political progress, violence, religious, political, cultural, economic, and social divisions remain. Indeed more "peace lines", walls/fences between Protestant/Catholic areas, have gone up since the ceasefires then during the troubles. Thus the work Corrymeela does is still as relevant and necessary as ever. 

 

Corrymeela also works with groups and organisations from other countries in the world who have experienced similar division be it in Israel/Palestine, South Africa,or the former Yugoslavia to share experiences of reconciliation.

If you would like to know more contact me or visit www.corrymeela.org 

It is a charity that is deeply personal to me as my mum and dad have been members for the whole of my live and my dad was leader until his death last year and I am keen both to raise its profile and help raise much needed funds.

 This is a challenge that surpasses last years marathon.

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer. So it’s the most efficient way to donate - I raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the charity.

So please dig deep and donate now.