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15th July - I have arrived home having completed my challenge just have the bruises and swollen ankles from the journey home to recover from now. 

My Thai jungle trek was certainly a challenge and an adventure.  I met some lovely people and had an eventful and amazing trip.  The most amazing thing I found was that we visited remote villages of which the people are not even registered by any Thai authorities and that hardly anyone else in the world ever goes to.  We had two  english speaking guides who stayed with us the whole trip, who were joined by various local guides.  The Thai people have a very relaxed attitude with no need or wish to measure precisely either time or distance.  For example if we asked one of the non-english guides how far we had left to go they would not have known the answer even though they knew the route. 

This was my challenge

http://www.charitychallenge.com/pdf/Thailand_Jungle_Expedition_Itinerary_2006.pdf

This expedition takes place in western Thailand's Kanchanaburi Province, location of the infamous Death Railway and Bridge over the River Kwai. Kanchanaburi is inhabited by a mixture of Burmese, Karen, Mon and Thai peoples. The challenge will take you through the rugged jungles in remote parts of the province close to the border with Burma.

You will spend six days trekking, rafting, kayaking and riding elephants through the forests and mountains of the Thung Yai Nareusan Wildlife Sanctuary. The Thung Yai area is home to the Karen people who traditionally live in small villages and forest communities. The hill tribe people know the region better than anybody else and will be your hosts and guides for the challenge. You will stay overnight in a Karen village consisting of bamboo stilt houses and at a campsite on the banks of the river.

For a trip summary see here  for photos see day2, day 3, day 4, day 5 part 1, day 5 part 2, day 6, day 8, day 9, day 10

Why am I doing this? 

To give myself a motivation for keeping up my general all round fitness.  An adventure to look forward to because Life is either a daring adventure....or nothing and doing this will make a difference both to the local people in Thailand and to Leukaemia Care (and me of course).   As I have self-funded this trip (inclusive of £100 donation) ALL your donations go direct to Leukaemia Care.

Although I am lucky enough not to have anyone close to me diagnosed with Leukaemia since informing people of my challenge I have found two people that have been firstly a colleague's friend's son and the mother of one of my sponsors Olivia.  Olivia's mum has been treated and is currently living a normal life.     

Leukaemia Care is a national charity that provides vital care and support to those whose lives are affected by leukaemia.  Each year around 3000 new cases are recorded, 600 of which are children: this accounts for half of all childhood cancers.  Leukaemia Care's role is providing care and support for these patients and their families. 

The money you donate will help support Leukaemia Care's 24 hour Care line and their Regional Care teams.  These services offer an outlet to sufferers and their families who need to talk about their fears and get answers to their many questions; personal, friendly support that helps people feel they are not alone. 
The Charity also helps by providing financial assistance and holiday breaks
for sufferers, which can give them a much needed boost.

Donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to sponsor me: Leukaemia CARE Society will receive your money faster and, if you are a UK taxpayer, an extra 28% in tax will be added to your gift at no cost to you.

So please sponsor me now!

Offline sponsorship

March - £15 cheque received from ex-colleagues Christina & Louise at RSA.

Saturday 5th May - make-up party hosted by Beauty by Natasha (my cousin) http://www.nwmake-up.co.uk/ £105 total (£50 cheque in offline total). Thanks to Natasha, Anne for the snacks and those who attended for their presence and donations.

25th May - pledge from my employers KBC Asset Management to donate £250 taking me over my first target of £1,000.

27th May - £50 cheque from family friend Mary & her daughter Anne.

29th July - noticed offline total doesn't include £100 from myself via booking with Charity Challenge.

Thanks to Blacks Leisure for a 20% discount voucher which was very helpful and Mat at Blacks in Canterbury for his excellent assistance.  

Thanks to Amelia  and Westlake  Phamacy, Summertown, Oxford for supply of my medical kit.

Thanks to Geraldene, Monica and Andy for lending of the following kit saving me more expenses - airbeds, sleeping mats, sleeping bag, hiking trousers. 

15th July - My aunt Monica and Father Rory £50.

5th August - cheque from fellow glasgowskyliner Jo £10 must have been her 'Wages Day'!!

25th August - £50 cheque from Tez.

Selling

Have slowly been listing some excess items of mine on e-bay.  Got my first sale on Sat 26th May and have had a few more.  Sold three Arsenal members day programmes from July 2006 and 3 freebie T-shirts from football.  One was my T-Shirt from the champions league final from 2006 and the other two donated by Rob from the last home game at Highbury versus Wigan and from Dennis Bergkamp's testimonial. 

Training schedule

I have been writing a blog on myspace www.myspace.com/goonersarah which I have now moved to http://www.thaitreksarah.blogspot.com

Many thanks to my training companions; Mum short walks locally at start of training; Dad walking to football grounds!!; Rob, Monica, Heather, Geraldene,
Jon, Ruth, Ralph of Env Bro, Margot another walker on the Env Bro walks, everyone at the Marie Curie Devoted to Life Walk in Greenwich Park; Kedra; The Maidstone Ramblers; The Rotary club organisers of the North Downs Walk; Hazel, Mia

 

Sarah