This time next month I'll be in the Namib desert with 16 UNICEF fundraisers. We're trekking 115 kilometres through the oldest desert in the world to the Skeleton Coast, hiking over sand dunes and dodging hyenas and other wildlife. All in 35-40 degrees heat.
The challenge began months ago for the trekkers who've been training and fundraising to support the rights of children in Namibia.
One of our trekkers, Amy, has been fundraising in everyway she can think of. She's organised a regular vintage cake stall in her office, put up a display at her gym with sponsor forms and a collection tin, given swimming lessons for 40 children at her local pool, and she's also busy with car boot sales and gigs. Phew!
Amy's not the only one to have organised gigs: another trekker, Phil, was sponsored to stay on stage for 24 hours solid and raised £2,600!
Other trekkers have been out with collecting buckets: Adrian raised £177 in just one day like this at Oxford train station.
There are BBQs, garden parties, quiz nights and many raffles going on to help the trekkers reach their target of £3,250 to take part in the trek.
As I write this I'm surrounded by cakes for a cake bake I’m holding in the UNICEF UK office to raise some extra funds.
Our trekkers are also raising money via our very own online fundraising site, My Fundraising.
These donations will be used to realise children’s rights in Namibia and the trekkers will have the opportunity to visit UNICEF projects.
Forty per cent of children in Namibia are not registered at birth. This means that schools, health clinics and other children's services are not provided. Not having a birth certificate makes children more vulnerable to trafficking or exploitation. We'll be visiting one of the 22 birth registration facilities that UNICEF has set up in partnership with the government.
On our last day we'll visit an HIV prevention programme for high school children. UNICEF runs this with the Ministry of Education in 72 per cent of secondary schools in Namibia. It's a way to educate young people about HIV prevention and life skills, and with around 16 new infections a day in Namibia, it's a vital part of helping prevent the spread of HIV and AIDS.
I’m really looking forward to showing the trekkers what UNICEF is doing, and letting them see first hand just how vital their support is. I must say I'm not looking forward quite so much to the prospect of not showering for eight days!
I’m really looking forward to showing the trekkers what UNICEF is doing, and letting them see first hand just how vital their support is. I must say I'm not looking forward quite so much to the prospect of not showering for eight days!
If you're feeling inspired, you can read about our next trek, which will take us up the highest free-standing mountain in the world, Mount Kilimanjaro.
