I am always up for a challenge and this year is no different!  With the global economic situation having an impact, charities and voluntary organisations are also feeling the pinch. So this year, I will be making a big effort to support Who Cares? Scotland, the advocacy organisation for children and young people who are 'looked after' in care.

I used to work for Who Cares? Scotland so I know just how valuable their work is in giving looked after young people a real voice and helping make sure they are safe when living in cares settings.

I will be sharing the challenge of the Bhara Pokhari  77 km trek in Nepal in early November 2009.  Find out more at

http://www.whocaresscotland.org/nepal.htm

The trek is organised by Community Action Nepal,  which is also a charity whose main goal is to bring long term benefits to rural communities in Nepal, particularly on Health and Education projects.  CAN currently supports over 40 projects including health posts and schools and pays for 15 teachers and 13 nurses. Some of the funding raised will go towards helping projects like these. For more information on CAN click the link below:

http://www.canepal.org.uk/

The participants on the trek will include people like myself, who have been involved with Who Cares? Scotland in the past, current Who Cares? staff, residential workers and young people with care experience.

As well as generally raising cash for the organisation, I'm aiming to raise enough in funding to support the cost of a young person participating in the trek.

I know that there are many worthy causes out there, but this one is special for me and I hope you can help.

There are a number of ways you can assist:

•  Make  a donation directly by visiting my fundraising page

           http://www.justgiving.com/cathyjamieson

• Taking a sponsor form to your workplace
• Donating a raffle prize.

Thanks to all those who have donated online, and also to Unison Ayrshire & Arran NHS Branch, Mauchline Burns Club and Skerrington & Netherthird Co-op Womens Guild who donated offline.

Please get in touch if you can help. Every penny raised is going to the charities as I am personally covering all other costs, including the minimum sponsorhip of £1980.