Hike for Hope
Sinai Desert Challenge 14-22 March 2009 The Sinai Desert Challenge is the third Hike for Hope - previous treks in Jordan and Kenya have raised nearly £1million to stop prostate and gynaecological cancers ruining lives.
Our intrepid hikers returned from the Sinai at the end of March, raising thousands of pounds for the charity, it was also a fantastic experience for those who took part.
Caroline Devaney, who is the chair of out London Events Committee, is also a dedicated Hike for Hoper and has taken part in all 3 hikes, she talks here about her experience on the most recent trek:
"It was hot, hard and high but also breathtakingly beautiful.
We had a fantastic group of people taking part including a number of obstetricians, gynaecologists and urologists, and their patients, as well as some mother and daughter teams from 100 Women in Hedge Funds.
The most memorable moment of the trek for me was the climb to Mount Sinai. Setting off from our hotel at 2.00 in the morning we began the ascent at 2.30am. In the complete, dark emptiness that only a wilderness can bring we climbed all night with just our head torches to guide the way. From below we must have appeared, in the darkness, like a necklace of lights encircling the mountain. The reality was slightly more challenging, such as - finding passing places to allow the camel traffic to go by on the narrow pathway that was our road upwards. At the end of the climb we had a final ascent of 700 stone 'steps' to reach the summit. Watching the dawn break across the endless mountain ranges gave us all moments to reflect on the sense of achievement of our recent climb and also our reasons for undertaking the trek. Our descent was down the route called the Monks Penance and 3000 'steps' of shale certainly gave us a true understanding of how it got it's name, but breakfast at St Catherine's Monastery soon restored our good spirits.
The final high point for me was, several days later as we turned our backs on this starkly beautiful place and passed through the Colure Canyon through which we could see in the distance the Red Sea with the mountains of Saudi Arabia beyond - although by this time I was happy to reach just the sea shore and leave any more mountains for another day! But the true highlight of both this and the other treks is the camaraderie and team-spirit - a feeling of everyone working together, looking after each other and encouraging each other and definitely one of the reasons I keep coming back for more.
I am glad to say that there will be another Hike for Hope - even though fundraising is getting tougher more and more people seem to be keen to take up the challenge and interest has been good in the Girls Get Tough women only Himalaya's trek. In 2010 we are hoping that the Hike for Hope will be in Kerala (India). Watch this space!"
If you are interested in receiving details (when available) of the Hike for Hope 2010 -please email dmason.wellbeingofwomen@rcog.org.uk
Previous treks :
Rift Valley, Kenya
24th November – 3rd December 2007
At the end of November, 92 sponsored hikers set off to trek the Rift Valley in Kenya, raising funds for medical research into gynaecological and prostate cancers. Wellbeing of Women trustee and Royal gynaecologist, Marcus Setchell, was amongst those hiking through the rugged terrain. He was joined by patients, doctors and nurses and others that been affected by gynaecological or prostate cancers. Particpants were hiking at altitudes of 2700 metres for 25km per day over the Rift Valley's extinct volcanoes. We would like to thank all those who participated in this year's Hike for Hope. Over £500,000 has been raised so far. These funds will allow Wellbeing of Women to invest in further medical research into gynaecological cancers.
There are many ways you can donate to Wellbeing of Women. Your donation will help us continue to fund research into all aspects of reproductive health.
Need to contact Wellbeing of Women?
wellbeingofwomen@rcog.org.uk
Tel: 020 7772 6400
Fax: 020 7724 7725