I love walking and discovering other countries and cultures. I saw the trek as an ideal way to combine the two and to support a great cause, and enjoying both is even better. I first heard of the NDCS in 2001 when reading up on their charity treks. The trek Inca trail really appealed to me so I began training and fundraising for June 2002. Fundraising is not easy to do but I had a few ideas and some help from the NDCS. The highlight had to be the ferret racing in the village hall! I met a great group of people in Peru and I am still in touch with some of them. The same goes for my recent trek in Iceland, another wonderful experience. You also get to learn a lot about the work of the NDCS and how vital it is to deaf children everywhere in the country. My advice is if you are thinking of doing a trek for the NDCS, go for it!!
Terry Woodward, Trek Iceland July 2005
I have never been on a trip like this before. I saw the trek China advertised and sent off for the information, looked at lots of other charities and always came back to the NDCS!
Fundraising was hard! I did lots of car boot sales, made and sold cakes, sold raffle tickets, football tickets - I only raised just over £500 in personal sponsorship, so I worked really hard for the rest of the money. It was well worth it though!
The trip was brilliant! It was very hard but I would do it again and YES I would recommend a challenge to anyone!
Fundraising was hard! I did lots of car boot sales, made and sold cakes, sold raffle tickets, football tickets - I only raised just over £500 in personal sponsorship, so I worked really hard for the rest of the money. It was well worth it though!
The trip was brilliant! It was very hard but I would do it again and YES I would recommend a challenge to anyone!
Karen Mabbutt, Trek Cuba March 2004
The thought that I may eventually go deaf really brought deafness home to me. I couldn't begin to imagine what it must be like to be born deaf.
I wanted to participate in a challenge that would give me real focus and drive to get through my masters degree, and to be able to raise a lot of money for deaf children. This, coupled with the fact that I had always wanted to go to the Amazon: the challenge was perfect!!
FUndraising was quite a challenge, as I was quite busy anyway. But, with the support of family and friends, cake stalls, jumble sales and car boot sale, I managed to raise a large proportion of the money. I will however also pay for a proportion myself.
The trip was so great it is hard to know where to begin. However, I will never forget walking through the jungle at 7 o'clock in the morning, covered in swamp, after falling off a vine! I think these trips are fantastic for everybody. I will miss everyone a lot. Here's to camping next year!
I wanted to participate in a challenge that would give me real focus and drive to get through my masters degree, and to be able to raise a lot of money for deaf children. This, coupled with the fact that I had always wanted to go to the Amazon: the challenge was perfect!!
FUndraising was quite a challenge, as I was quite busy anyway. But, with the support of family and friends, cake stalls, jumble sales and car boot sale, I managed to raise a large proportion of the money. I will however also pay for a proportion myself.
The trip was so great it is hard to know where to begin. However, I will never forget walking through the jungle at 7 o'clock in the morning, covered in swamp, after falling off a vine! I think these trips are fantastic for everybody. I will miss everyone a lot. Here's to camping next year!
I was injured on duty as a police officer and was in hospital for eye surgery (loss of vision) and the neurologist suggested that I do some charity work , as I would be off for about a year.
I thought he meant serving tea at the local nursing home but I spent days surfing the net looking for what I could do and spotted these treks. So I took brochures to the hospital and discussed them at length with my neurologist post operation. He looked at me and said something unrepeatable but gave me the thumbs up to have a go at it.
SO I DID AND HERE I AM!
I loved it and raised £3,500 so it was a success for me and the charity. Plus I proved I wasn't going to be beaten by my disability.
When I finished the Trek Sinai, had they asked me to stay for another week, I would have done it all again. I WOULDN'T HAVE NEEDED TO BE ASKED TWICE! I loved it thoroughly, enjoyed it and can't praise it enough.
I thought he meant serving tea at the local nursing home but I spent days surfing the net looking for what I could do and spotted these treks. So I took brochures to the hospital and discussed them at length with my neurologist post operation. He looked at me and said something unrepeatable but gave me the thumbs up to have a go at it.
SO I DID AND HERE I AM!
I loved it and raised £3,500 so it was a success for me and the charity. Plus I proved I wasn't going to be beaten by my disability.
When I finished the Trek Sinai, had they asked me to stay for another week, I would have done it all again. I WOULDN'T HAVE NEEDED TO BE ASKED TWICE! I loved it thoroughly, enjoyed it and can't praise it enough.
Cheryl Crockett, Trek Sinai May 2003
I was coming up to my 50th birthday and wanted to have an "adventure", but didn't have a clue as what to do. Then one day, I was reading my slimming magazine, and this page just jumped out at me: "You don't have to be an Olympic athlete to do Trek China".
I thought "I can do that". If I was going to raise money for any charity, it would be NDCS, having learnt that sign language (a little) a few years back at work. I was a bit worried about the £2,000, but my 2 girls said "go for it mum".
Colleagues from work were great and raised £600 in sponsorship. The xmas party for 200 people made about £700 and with car boot sales/quiz. It soon started to mount up and I collected £3,000 at the end.
As for the challenge itself, it was fantastic! It was very hot (35C and 22C at night). It was very hard some days, walking on sand and mountainous terrains, camping out under the stars at night, it was definitely a bonus! I thought this was going to be a once-in-a-lifetime experience but next I want to "walk the wall" in China and have two once-in-a-lifetime experiences!!!
Everyone should do it at least once and think about how many children and families we are helping at the same time!!
I thought "I can do that". If I was going to raise money for any charity, it would be NDCS, having learnt that sign language (a little) a few years back at work. I was a bit worried about the £2,000, but my 2 girls said "go for it mum".
Colleagues from work were great and raised £600 in sponsorship. The xmas party for 200 people made about £700 and with car boot sales/quiz. It soon started to mount up and I collected £3,000 at the end.
As for the challenge itself, it was fantastic! It was very hot (35C and 22C at night). It was very hard some days, walking on sand and mountainous terrains, camping out under the stars at night, it was definitely a bonus! I thought this was going to be a once-in-a-lifetime experience but next I want to "walk the wall" in China and have two once-in-a-lifetime experiences!!!
Everyone should do it at least once and think about how many children and families we are helping at the same time!!
Linda Gale, Trek Sinai 2003
The organised trek was wonderfully set and the route was excellent with unimaginable scenery and a once in a lifetime experience of being part of a great challenge.
Hem Mistry, Amazon Adventure November 2000
Cuba turned out to be everything I'd dremed of - and more. The trek lived up to the challenge and the group were as lively as I'd hoped. But the music, the rum, the scenery...it made every minute of fundraising worth it. Walking across the finish line after trekking 100 Km was nearly as good as bathing in the warm Caribbean at the end of our trip. Don't just read about it - do it!
John Murphy, John Murphy Trek Cuba
Trek Cuba was amazing in every way. Although the trek was challenging it was huge fun and with the group support and excellent local guides, we all made it! I've come away with some special memories, fantastic new friends and I can honestly say that it was one of the best things I've ever donw. I can't wait for my next trek!'