A challenge for charity in 2022

When I reflect on the past three years, a lot has happened in the world. We have experienced the challenges and isolation created by the Covid pandemic. Global warming transitioned from a controversial theory to a devastating reality. Society stood up for the movements of "Black Lives Matter" and "Me Too". The company that I worked for over the past two and a half decades announced its closure. I achieved a university degree. But, most significantly, my brave sister lost her hard fought battle with cancer.

At the end of July 2022 I become unemployed for the first time in my adult life. The daily routines cease, the final familiar faces around the workplace embark on their own life adventures and I stare into my own abyss. Which path will my life take? The one thing that is certain in this world of uncertainty, is that only I hold the answer to that question. Only I can choose my next step, and that is where this adventure begins.

After working at one company for many years, you can easily lose sight of who you are, as you generally rely on "next week being marginally similar to last week" with the key decisions each day forming around what colour socks to wear in the morning and which meal to chose from the canteen menu at lunchtime. Now is the opportunity for me to step away from the rat race, escape the bells and buzzers of the lean manufacturing environment, and embrace a temporary break from the shackles of being an adult. Now is the time to embark on an adventure of a lifetime, one that requires me to get fit, to push myself to my limits and, most importantly, to fulfil a dream whilst raising money for a very important cause.

In memory of my Sister, and to pay thanks to the precious palliative care that was provided for her during her final weeks with us, this adventure will for charity, raising funds for the Prospect Hospice. The Prospect Hospice provides dedicated end-of-life care and support for people in the community. Please click on the image below to make a donation to the Prospect Hospice. Both they and I will be eternally grateful for every penny that we can raise through this "challenge for charity 2022"

(please click on this image to donate)

For those of you that know me, will know that I like to walk. Those of you who have wandered alongside me know all too well that my expressions of "It's only a short stroll today" and "We are nearly there, it is just around the corner" generally relate to a hike that is 25 miles in distance and we still have 10 miles to go. For this “challenge for charity 2022” I needed to find a trek that was (a) a significantly challenging distance, (b) in an unfamiliar territory off the beaten track and (c) for the real sense of achievement, throwing in some very unpredictable weather and rugged terrain. The only other consideration was the need for the region to be English speaking as a first or second language - just in case of emergencies, as I have been known to be rather accident prone and I will be trekking alone.

After much research and my usual in depth evaluation and decision analysis, I have opted for a trek along the Kungsleden in August/September 2022. The Kungsleden (The Kings Trail) is a 275 miles (440km) scenic route through Swedish Lapland, from Abisko to Hemavan. When adding some of the off track locations en route, the overall distance will be approximately 300 miles (482 km). The hiking season in this region closes on 13 September 2022 from when the snow season starts with about 11 days of snow during the month.

If you would like to find out more about the Prospect Hospice, please visit their website: Prospect Hospice | End-of-life Care Services (prospect-hospice.net)