140 years of support for our Armed Forces!

SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity, has been providing lifelong support to our Forces, Veterans and their families since 1885; the year from which the inspiration for this challenge comes.

On 23rd July 2025, we will travel to Banff National Park in Canada. The park was also founded in 1885 and Lake Louise, within the park, sits at an elevation of 1885m.

We will complete 8 different hikes through The Valley of the 10 Peaks over 5 days and the total distance travelled will be 85km. The hikes I’ve chosen actually add up to 83km so we’re going to add the extra 2km walking around Lake Louise.

Any support, whether it’s raising awareness of SSAFA, this challenge, or donating any amount will be so gratefully received. We aim to raise £1885 each!

Wish us luck!

Gem & Lou xX

Update: WE DID IT!!

It was a really hard slog at times, with a cold, rainy day at Lake Louise and Moraine Lake by far the worst but we enjoyed breathtaking views and some close encounters with the wildlife throughout, too, making it the trip of a lifetime - even though it was absolutely not a holiday!

We finished up at the summit of Sulphur Mountain in glorious sunshine on Tuesday 29th July 🏔️☀️

Thank you so much for all the support, donations, and kind words. We really are extremely grateful 💙❤️🩵

85km in Banff National Park ✅

What’s next…? 👀

Photo from the summit of Sulphur Mountain xX