First Steps

On the 18^th July 2003, following an intensive training programme, I headed off to Africa to follow in the footsteps of the Maasai in Tanzania. 

The original concept of the Women's Great Walk of China started with two women who were to fulfil a lifetime ambition by walking from one end of the Great Wall of China to the other in aid of Breast Cancer.  Their journey was to take seven months to complete and I was to join them for twelve days and walk 83 kms.  However, due to the SARS out-break Karen Churches, Josie Lawrence and her fellow trekkers were stopped by the Chinese authorities in April. Obviously this was bitterly disappointing to them but undaunted and with the support of Charity Challenge they continued walking and moved to Peru, Cuba, Africa and Thailand, with the intention of eventually returning to China if and when the World Health Organisation gave the all clear.

Josie Lawrence, Sian Everingham (Trek Leader) and Karen Churches

After much consideration I decided to join them for the Maasai walk, which covered a slightly greater distance of approximately 100 km, but not to worry the temperature would be much pleasanter than China, around the mid 20'sm, or so I naively thought!

Incidentally, I blame Maureen Nixon entirely for the pain and suffering I endured during my trek!