Trek to Everest Base Camp

Ten ordinary women are joining Everest Summiteer Sue Harper Todd in an all women group climbing to Everest Base Camp raising £100,000 to help women in war-torn areas to rebuild their lives in celebration of 100th year anniversary of Women’s International Day

5th – 20th October 2011

100 years on from when women campaigned for the right to vote, women today still have huge mountains to climb to reach in terms of equal rights, particularly in areas of conflict. That’s why ten ordinary, but very brave UK women are joining Susan Harper Todd (one of only five British women throughout history to stand on the summit of Mount Everest) during 5th — 20th October, on an inspirational trek to Everest Base Camp with the aim of raising £100,000 for Women for Women International.

Women for Women is a global charity that supports women in war-torn countries and help victims of war rebuild their lives. Women enrolled in the Women for Women programme learn job skills and receive business training so they can earn a living. Women become confident, independent and productive, embracing their importance in rebuilding their families, their communities and ultimately their nations. The charity believes that lasting change can only be achieved when women have access to both knowledge and resources.

Escorted by all female Sherpas, the 10 women going on the trek to Everest Base Camp will not only need to get themselves physically and mentally fit to complete the strenuous 16 day trek, but also raise a minimum of £10,000. The funding raised will support women who have been traumatised by war in some of the most dangerous places to be women including Afghanistan, DRC and Iraq. The aim is to raise a total of £100,000 which will enable Women for Women to support an additional 4000 women on its programmes.

The motivations behind each of the trekkers to undertake this challenge differ dramatically — from a 57 year old woman whose family members survived the holocaust to a 33 year old mother wanting to leave a legacy her two year old daughter can be proud of. But the goal of each is the same. Each trekker believes that women’s voices across the world need to be heard.

As such, the trekkers will be taking a prayer flag up to Base Camp with them made by the women in Women for Women’s programmes displaying their vision of a peaceful and prosperous world. A smaller flag will be taken to the summit itself in April 2012. This expedition will be bearing the flag for women, highlighting how we are connected despite our differences and how we must support each other in our efforts to make this world a better place for all of us.

Inspirational Everest Summiteer and Mountain Leader Susan Harper Todd, who is donating her time, skill and expertise to the expedition said: “What I particularly like about Women for Women is that they don’t just give out money. Instead through a one year programme, they help women gain the skills and give them the support they need to rebuild their lives, earn an income and find a place and a voice in their own communities.”

Kate Nustedt, Executive Director of Women for Women says “The Women for Women trekkers have been in training for this Everest challenge for months to raise money and support for women in war-torn countries, who themselves are climbing their own mountains as they rebuild their lives. This Everest trek is such an inspirational way to show that women can come out on top."

To help Women for Women raise £100,000 to support women who have been traumatised by war rebuild their lives visit the Everest Trek online fundraising site.