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Ever wanted to do something really different, to experience a new culture, face your fears and embark on a wonderful adventure?
Why not take on a charity challenge for the appeal.
These very exclusive events include trekking to Everest Base Camp, a Cuban Revolution Cycling Challenge, Great Wall Discovery, an Icelandic Lava Trek and a Thailand Jungle Expedition to name but a few!
This is a fantastic opportunity to help raise vitally needed funds for the Appeal and at the same time, fulfill your own personal ambitions.
There is a wealth of different trips – something for everyone – and departure dates throughout the year. Call Lauren on 0800 919 649 or email lauren@grandappeal.org.uk for more info.
License to Thrill
I’ve always dreamed of a trip to India. One of my grandsons was extremely ill at 19 months but made a full recovery thanks to the facilities and expertise of the Bristol Children’s Hospital. We will always be grateful and I felt this was a way of giving something back.
So, after weeks of training (not many mountains near Swindon!) I arrived at Heathrow nervously heading to meet 19 strangers. Flying into Delhi we entered a world of cars, horses, rickshaws amid a clamor of noise. The next day we arrived in Dharamsala the tranquil home of the Dalai Lama where we explored temples, monasteries and sampled Tibetan lifestyle.
After acclimatisation our treks began but were tougher than anyone had anticipated – 12 miles per day at 9,000 feet in rarefied air. It was hazardous, tiring though joyous, and sometimes terrifying! Woken at 6 am with a cup of cha we trekked from 8 to 5 and camped in two-person tents with limited washing facilities.
The views were fantastic among the mountain passes where villages with life unchanged in hundreds of years have almost no contact with the outside world. Their people were warm and welcoming – this was the India I had come to see.
Evenings were spent around the campfire enjoying fabulous meals prepared by our cooks, telling stories and gazing at the Milky Way. Wildlife ranged from wild monkeys and vultures to less desirable snakes and insects. Our ages varied between 21 and 60 and everyone got on extremely well.
After visiting the Taragarh Palace and the Taj Mahal, I said my goodbyes to people with whom I had spent two weeks laughing, sometimes crying. But the experience was great – we were well looked after by the company, its leaders, sherpas, cooks etc…we simply had to get on with the walking!
This was an amazing adventure that I’ll never forget, with the added knowledge that I’ve helped The Grand Appeal to support the wonderful children’s hospital in Bristol.
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