St Catherine’s Hospice treats Vietnam trekkers to return trek-fast
St Catherine’s Hospice welcomed their 15 Vietnam Trekkers back from their five day trek with a well deserved trek-fast attended by family, friends and hospice staff. The trekkers were treated to pastries, bacon rolls and Prosecco, and Claire Irving, Director of Fundraising and Marketing at St Catherine’s, gave a rousing speech that thanked them for all their efforts.
Trekkers challenge
The triumphant trekkers spent five days hiking through the remote and beautiful hills of Northern Vietnam in the Pù Luông Nature Reserve in 38 degree heat. Along the way, they trekked through jungles, met local villagers, slept in local home stays, reached the top of a mountain and celebrated with a dip in a waterfall, and experienced delicious Vietnamese food.
Gerry Baker, one of the trekkers said: “The enormity of what we have achieved in completing
our own personal challenges and the achievement of the whole group working together on behalf of St Catherine’s will take some time to sink in. The personal memories will last a lifetime. I’d like to thank everyone that has supported me, especially my fellow trekkers and the support team in Vietnam who made the once in a lifetime experience, and carried me through a challenge that was tougher than I had envisaged. And one of the best bits was coming home to the joy and warmth of the reception for us all at the hospice.”
The impact
The 15 trekkers amazing efforts have directly benefited patients cared for by St Catherine’s. For each hour they walked, the team funded five hours of at home care for a patient by St Catherine’s Community Nursing Team, allowing them to benefit from specialised end of life care and support in the comfort of their
own homes. The trek is on track to raise £50,000 for the local hospice.
If you’re inspired to join a future overseas challenge for St Catherine’s please register your interest by calling Michaela Clements in the Events Team on 01293 583063.
