Your change, can and does change lives
fiona chant is raising money for Kaira Konko Scout Fellowship
In memory of Jason
Story
Thank you for visiting my fundraising page.
**********BRIEF UPDATE**************
I finished my walk at 9.00am Saturday 27th October 2007 having walked through the night due to an in coming storm. I will give a summary of the high points on my return down South.
May, I introduce myself I am Jason Chant's - Uncle George aka "Highlander"
You can follow my prevous trip on
Trail Journals.com under the name of "Highlander" George Grant. Below is a brief summary of one mountain I climbed in 2005
Mount Baden-Powell is a peak in the San Gabriel Mountains of California named for the famous English Lord Robert Baden-Powell, founder of the World Scouting Movement. Mount Baden Powell was officially dedicated in 1931.
At 9,399 ft (2,865 m) in elevation, Mount Baden-Powell is the 4th highest peak of the San Gabriel Range, Mount San or "Old Baldy" From my journal: Soon to be turned back from the zig zag path up Mt Baden Powell,very icy extremely cold and very strong winds ,The only way through was to take route2.
Mon25th
The wind just blew all night,my tarp shelter was spread out like a sheet on the ground with the biggest rocks I could find to hold it down hung on until the wind abated,With all the clothes I could put on I was glad to set of to try and warm up.Route 2 was shot to bits snow drifts coming of the hills ,some places I could not see a road existed,and some sections of the road were pushed away with avalanches,rock falls blocked other areas,who would have thought that I would have needed to use an ice axe on a road,no wonder I did not meet anyone today.
Many of us through our lives have journeys to make - mine is to walk 8400 miles through and a dream, an adventure - I choose to do this. I have achieved my first goal PCT(Pacific Crest Trail) completed 2,650 mls. back in 2005. Unfortunely on my return to the it was found I had cancer, so, the dream is on hold but the walking and challenges do not end there. Prior to my treatment commencing I walked the coastal trail around the south coast approx 400 miles (itchy feet). This time I will head from home in Southampton to Lands End and then back up to my roots in , I intend to finsh in John O'Groats - need to get the old bones in shape.
My sister approached me to walk in aid of Kaira Konko as it has been one of the keys to their survival through their enduring grief, after the death of their eldest son Jason, in whose memory, I now take up this challenge.
I choose my jounrey, I know and accept the pathways and the mountains I have to climb to achieve my dreams. Grief, however is one of life's journeys, we all must take, usually, it can be taken within our daily strides, we will always falter at the loss of a partner, close friend or relative but it affects us all in different ways, some will need support and understanding. Losing Jason had such an impact on the family. To accept, cope with, find a resolve to the most unacceptable grief, that is, of saying farewell to your child. Trying to learn a new life's journey without him, building memories, to enable them, in time, to resign themselves to this new life. It is and will be painful with many pitfalls, bereaved parents do not have the physical mountains that I have had on my pathways, but survive they do.
Kaira Konko has been an inspiration, it's given purpose to the family and friends, as in the early days of their journey, they choose to do "Good Deeds" in Jason's name, build a purposeful memorial, taking words from the wall at Soma "Try to leave this world better than you found it" - This is still their goal, you can visit Jason's site to read about some of the good works already done.
http://jason-chant-dj-milky.memory-of.com.
Donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to donate: Kaira Konko Scout fellowship will receive your money electronically and, if you are a taxpayer, an extra 28% in Gift Aid will be added to your donation at no cost to you.
Please donate generously who knows, perhaps we may be able to fulfill one of their new challenges, to renovate another school block, with your help, dreams can come true and hope can be built for the future for the children of Soma
Many thanks for your support - "Highlander"