In May this year, Pat Thompson CEO of Link-Up QLD and me, Virginia Clarke a Counsellor at Link-Up will be trekking the Larapinta Trail in the Northern Territory. This will be a challenge for both of us, walking the 50kms of the Larapinta Trail over five days in the Northern Territory, but not only are we keen to see some of the most remote and beautiful parts of Australia, but our purpose is to raise $6000 for the UN Women's Second Chance program. Pat has been CEO of Link-Up QLD for ten years. For forty years in Queensland, Link-Up has been doing the important work of reconnecting Stolen Generations with family and country.

Pat and I know from our own experience the importance for women who are marginalized by crisis, poverty, or violence to be able to be able to access education. Transformational change requires more than the offer of training or education but also the practical help of childcare, disability and elder care, transportation to the centres and specific support to build community and this program provides these more tailored additions. Women participate in one of three learning pathways: entrepreneurship/self-employment, employment/vocational training, or return to formal education.

We would like to ask our community – our friends and family to help us raise funds for this valuable work. Every donation counts, so if you are able to help, please donate using the link below All this money goes directly to UN Women Second Chance Program and is tax deductible.

https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/trekforrights2024

Virginia Clarke is fundraising for UN Women National Committee Australia (justgiving.com)

Bit of an update; Dear friends, Allan and I are doing the trek on the Larapinta Trail. I have been talking about this for a year and suddenly the time is nearly here.

Originally this was to be Pat (CEO Link-Up) and myself, but because of back issues for Pat, Alan has joined the trek. Pat is still coming to Alice Springs and after the trek we will continue to Uluru.

An important part of this trek is raising money for UN Women. Funds raised from this trek will go to women and girls around Australia and overseas where every dollar is desperately needed.

This is a cause dear to my heart and I have been a supporter of UN Women for over twenty years. I have donated myself and Alan will too.

I might add it is very close to tax time and this is the time I do add on to my planned giving. If you choose to donate, click on link below and go to the site.

When you donate go to donation summary to “Tip to Just Giving” This is the platform for donations.

Here you can adjust the tip to a custom amount . I paid 16 dollars on my first donation, and I don’t think that is appropriate. If you have any questions or need assistance, just call me on 0438125474.