Meet our challengers
Emily Phillips and Lisa Tame
Emily Phillips and Lisa Tame were part of the November 2006 Inca Trek group.
Lisa's story is published on the BBC website. Emily called the trek 'the most amazing experience of my life'. Here, she tells her story:
"Yesterday I returned from trekking the Inca Trail after four flights totalling 16.5 hours and 30 hours in total of travelling time. I really wanted to tell you how much it was worth it and what a fantastic time I had. Being a part of this has most definitely been the most amazing experience of my life in every way possible.
"As I was walking up to 4,200m with a tummy bug that I'd managed to get on the first night of camping, I was having an argument with myself saying 'I can't do it' and responding 'of course you can, there's no such word as can't'. I am always telling my four-year-old son that when he says he can't do something. I think it is that thought which got me up to the top of that pass!
"I was lucky that I didn't suffer from the altitude too much but the porters were fab, carrying my bag for two days while I was feeling weak and feeble from not being able to eat or drink much. I would have found it so much harder without them and it meant so much to be able to help them by donating things at the end, too. They do an amazing job. Who'd have thought we would get tea and coffee delivered to our tents at 5am or birthday cakes that were the most enormous cakes you've ever seen cooked on the side of a mountain on two gas rings. And as for the toilet guys, we are all in awe of the toilet guys though we certainly don't envy their job!
"The Discover Adventure team were brilliant, Harry and Louise (the GOSH reps) were fantastic, they did a brilliant job and you would never have guessed that they hadn't been before. The doctors were so approachable, between all of them they really made the trip so much easier and as for the rest of the team, we all bonded really well and everyone supported each other at one time or another throughout the trip.
"Although I found the fundraising hard work at times, it was most definitely worth it, especially when at the celebration dinner people with true connections to GOSH stood up to tell their stories and thank those of us who are doing this for such a worthy cause. It meant so much to me to be able to help GOSH, the porters and the local schools that I would love to do the Namibia Trek if you are doing one in 2008? I think most of us would actually so we must get signed up! I think 2007 will be a bit soon since that's only about six months away!
"I loved every minute of the trip and when it came to the end I really didnt want to come home. I was most definitely ready to do the whole thing all over again when we got to the sungate. Thank you so much for giving me the oppotunity to do this."
Dave Pearson
Dave Pearson was 68 when he did the Inca Trek in November 2003. He is living proof that age is no barrier to facing a tough physical challenge.
“Being the oldest in the group never hindered me, but I think it helped as I wanted to keep up with the others, and they also helped me to carry on.
“My enduring memory of the trek was the second day to Deadwoman’s Pass. That was quite hard - I think I would have really struggled if I hadn’t trained properly. I also believe we coped by mucking in and helping each other.
“What motivated me was the chance to help a worthwhile cause and do something I enjoy, seeing wonderful scenery and keeping fit.
“Each day we walked on the ancient trail through some inspiring landscape which made me realise how lucky and privileged I was to be able to experience a trip like this. On one occasion, a group of young children with their schoolbooks passed us, trotting along on their daily routine and this reminded me of those back at home.
“Our porters showed amazing strength in their duties. They would repeatedly decamp and then pass us on the trail, only to have the next rest stop set up to provide us with refreshment before they packed up and passed us again.
“The path was at times difficult, some of the climbs at altitude really taking it out of me, but on the final day, as we sat at the Sun Gate and the clouds lifted to reveal our prize it was all made worthwhile. The ancient city of Machu Picchu perched on top of its mountain looked like something out of a storybook.
“As I had hoped, this had been an invigorating experience for me and I was proud to be the oldest member of the group. I had relished in the challenge, as had others around me. We shared the common goal to reach Maccho Piccho and the incentive of helping those at Great Ormond Street.
“So far I have raised about £380 from friends and family, £180 from books sold on the internet given to me by our lodger and about £1000 raised by my daughter-in-law by having a number one haircut.”
Katherine Leach
"I decided to do something for GOSHCC in January as I had been treated at the hospital as a baby and had been an outpatient until I was 15. I visited the website, imagining I’d organise a jumble sale – but as soon as I saw this challenge, I knew I had to do it. The fundraising was easier than expected because all my friends were so generous – I think it’s a charity close to everyone’s heart. All the little bits of sponsorship soon add up.
"We all got on amazingly – clicking over the struggle of the trek as much as our common cause.
"Everyone was so supportive of everyone else, to get them through it - and the first sight of Machu Picchu made the previous four days worthwhile.
"This trip was easily my greatest achievement and most enjoyable adventure – and to have experienced that for GOSH, who had such a major impact on my life, and to meet new great friends along the way, was more than I could have ever expected."
Steve Robinson
"After coming home, I was sure that I would never ever do such a thing again. A few days later I was wishing that I could go back and relive the whole experince. This was indeed both challenging and rewarding, and I am so very pleased that one day last December I took the time to read your advertisement."
Elvira Lord
"The organisation was excellent, especially allowing time in Cusco, which gave us a chance to sightsee and meet some Peruvian people - charming and delightful."
