We rise at 6.30, packing up our belongings before having fresh eggs, porridge and toast for breakfast- a welcome start for what we know will be a tough day. Trekking starts promptly at 8am. It’s going to be an 8 hour day so Craig, our trek leader, reminds us to top up our water and make sure we have collected our packed lunch.
We walk up through the village of Kerari, and into the hills.
We literally walk on a path through the middle of people’s small holdings- with some kid goats to watch!
We pass plenty of young children on their way to school.
The path is uneven, and undulates throughout the morning- much rockier than yesterday but gives us fantastic views on the tops.
We drop down to a river where we stop for lunch. Some of the braver trekkers go for a dip! We are grateful for the rest as the afternoon will be a 4 hour uphill trek, not for the faint hearted. We climbed uphill for an hour and a half then scramble up for half an hour to get to the top.
It’s a challenge for all of us but we show each other so much support and encouragement to get through this tough 2nd day.
Again, the care given to each other is phenomenal and is what the treks are all about: a challenge but completed with a joint purpose.
Amazingly, we have 4G at the top (1,700m) and check messages from family and friends including singing Happy Birthday to one of our trekkers daughter.
We arrive in camp an hour early! The training and group morale spurred us on! We set up camp as we did last night- before it gets dark.
At 11am GMT (4.30pm local time) we have two minutes silence for Armistice day.
The first two days have been the most challenging of the whole trek, and tough. A welcome refresh with a bucket of warm water to have a wash down and a hot chocolate and homemade pakora were a welcome snack.
Spirits are high – there is an amazing sense of achievement and the group have stayed together throughout the walk.
We gather in a Cow shed with stools and conversations are good as we continue to get to know each other whilst having a real good chat with lots of laughter.
Today we finally start our trek! After an early breakfast the taxis drive us up into the mountains, through some more narrow and winding roads to Satovari, where we pick up the start of our trek and where the mules join us.
After taking our starting photo, we collect our prepared packed lunches and fill up our water bottles and packs. Spirits are high- we are finally ready to do what we came to do! We leave at 9.20am.
We begin walking along a narrow road, quickly turning off and descending along rough paths through rhodedendron forests. It’s cool and there is a breeze.
Quickly, the path becomes uneven and as we descend we have to take care. Cause it’s uneven, steep and very slippery. Our trek leaders and local guides are superb, offering help for the more tricky parts. The group are caring for each other, giving help and encouragement, and it’s lovely to see.
It’s usual for local dogs to join walkers- this was those first one of the day. They walk with us but are aloof and we keep our distance!
We descend for almost 3 hours, then have a steep climb up to our lunch stop. It is hot and humid, and we are reminded to keep drinking our water.
Just before lunch, we cross a very rickety suspension bridge, which some people really do not enjoy!!!
We stop at a rural school to eat our packed lunch enjoying the amazing scenic views. The rest is welcome but it’s short.
After half an hour we continue again, now climbing up through the forest. Here the path becomes loose shale, much steeper and very narrow in places. It is hard work for everyone, but we work together and keep going.
The path we are taking is not an official trail, just routes the locals use to walk between villages. We pass locals walking and working the land or minding goats.
We continue climbing up and the path is even more difficult. We have to take our time because the ground is uneven, a mix of rocks and grass. The team work has been great today as we really support each other to complete what has been a challenge.
At one point the path is really narrow with a sheer drop and time is needed to be taken to ensure we all our safe. All our trekkers take their time and complete it: the support they show to each other is incredible.
Near the end, a local cow joins us coming over a bridge posing for photos and causing quite a giggle!
We come into our first camp at 4.20pm and enjoy a welcome hot orange drink offered by our hosts, salted snacks and hot chocolate in the communal tent.
We set up our sleeping arrangements and sort ourselves out for the night before it becomes dark at 6pm. Our evening meal at 6.45.pm is home cooked curry, Dahl and chapatis. A welcome meal for the hungry trekkers!
Again, the trekkers have shared why they are doing this trip, and the love and esteem they have for St John’s. It’s humbling and incredible to hear.
This marks the end of Day 4, and day one the trek. There are 4 more trekking days to go so please donate if you can: let St John’s help even more people. Thank you.
The overnight train was a new experience for most of us- not very comfortable, noisy from the the sheer volume of people on the train constantly coming up and down the corridors and a real mixture of sleeping arrangements with the locals. However the team were all supporting each other and we certainly shared some stories the next morning!
The train arrives in Pathankot, in the Punjab, at 6am. We are primed to get off quickly as the train only stops for 5 minutes! We are obviously pros at bag manoeuvring now as all 34 of us are off the train in under two minutes. The trekkers are then split into 8 groups, with each group allocated a taxi for the three hour drive to Dharamsala.
Travelling in convoy, we stop to get breakfast in Pathankot first (Hotel Jyoti with a little shop selling snacks) before travelling to our destination. The air is cleaner and it’s cooler than Delhi. We can even hear birdsong!
The drive takes in the Indian countryside with, of course, lots of cows on the roadside. The cows don’t move for anyone! We pass through some roadworks (no 50mph limits here!) past lots of building developments, and through small mountain towns as we climb upwards to our destination for the night. We pass roadside sellers and start to see wildlife including monkeys and chipmunks. The roads are narrow and winding, and not everyone can get through easily!
Dharamsala is located in the Kangra Valley in the shadow of the Dhauladhar range of the Himalayas at an altitude of 1,457 metres (4,780 ft). Our accommodation is in the Padsu area of the town and is the AK continental hotel. We all receive a traditional Tibetan welcome of flowers in our hair, a bindi of turmeric and a scarf.
After a quick freshen up we head out to the local Buddhist Monastery to see the monks in training and home of the Dalai Lama.
On the way we meet a family of builders. It is traditionally the work of women to carry the mixed cement or dug earth on their heads. These ladies enjoyed posing for this photo.
After a few hours of free time in Dharamsala, we eat together and have our final pre-trek briefing. It’s been strange taking so long to actually start what we came for! Now it’s getting nearer, we are excited and pleased. Everyone is working together as one group, helping and supporting.
I continually hear the stories of why people are trekking for St John’s. It’s humbling to be reminded of how much love people hold for the Hospice, and the difference St John’s has made to the lives of their loved ones, and to them. This trek has helped us so far raise over £150,000 and you can still donate while we are on the trek. If you can help, please do: you will help us maintain the Hospice and its services for the future.
We finally arrive in Delhi after 21 hours of travel covering a distance of 5098 miles in the air. Although not a lot of sleep was had, we are excited and ready for the day ahead!
After a freshen up we spend a few hours enjoying the sights, smells and sounds of Delhi. This includes cows walking down the main roads (they are sacred animals in India) and lots of stray dogs. The poverty here is very obvious and hard to see.
Some visited the Red Fort which was built for the Mughal Emperors from 1639 and is an impressive monument in Old Delhi.
Others went to the Lotus Temple which is a Bahai house of worship, and is a prominent attraction. Lots of locals were in national dress in an array of bright colours. Whilst there, some of the trekkers were interviewed by local young students, curious about their reasons for visiting the Lotus Temple and the trek.
Others bravely used the local tuk tuks as a mode of transport, giving more than a few challenging and hair raising moments.
Before departing the Goodwill Hotel the trekkers were treated to some locally home made Indian cuisine, enough to keep them going until the next food opportunity arrives.
After the trek briefing we made our way to the train station for our next travel adventure with Subhash as our leader- the overnight train! We have to get there a few hours early so we can stand exactly where our carriage will pull up as we only have 15 minutes for all of us to board.
As with everything we’ve experienced so far in India, it is busy, chaotic and a massive assault on the senses!
Today the group finally left for the St John’s Hospice India Trek 2024!
There were mixed emotions as we left after 21 months of planning and fundraising. Tears because of missing families, smiles and excitement that we are finally on the way!
Thanks to the catering staff at the hospice for the fab bacon buns and to fundraising for the brews, all the support and herding and getting us all on the bus on time!
The coach ride was uneventful- but lots of chatter, trekkers meeting their room and tent mates, swapping stories of why they are doing the trek and what this means to them. It’s clear that the care the hospice gives is the biggest motivator for the team.
Lots of questions from others on the flight, asking why there was a number of us are in the same green hoodies – and a lot of respect and support to us all! It was really encouraging.
After a few hours stop over at Dubai, then we will arrive in Delhi at 7am on Friday morning. We will update you all after a freshen up and a few hours in the city.
Thank you to Westmorland & Furness Council for their kind support of £10,000 for the St John’s Seasons for Growth programme in the South Lakes.
Seasons for Growth is an important programme for children and young people, which is often delivered in schools. The programme is specifically designed to help children, young people, parents & carers, plus schools to:
Thank you Westmorland & Furness Council for helping children and young people to navigate this difficult time.
An anonymous £100k Donation from the Pappagallino Fund to Cumbria Community Foundation (CCF) has directly supported St John’s Hospice care of patients in their own homes in the South Lakes from Kendal, Grasmere, Ambleside, Kirby Lonsdale, Arnside, Silverdale and further afield.
CCF is very aware of specific challenges in rural areas, which also impacts on palliative and end of life care so, so kindly supported St John’s to make a positive impact on patients and families.
The funding has meant that 145 patients in the South Lakes area have been supported by this very generous donation. This support has boosted 464 Hospice at Home visits, 1479 support telephone calls ,127 respite visits, 183 night sit visits and the care of 42 South Lakes patients who have stayed on the inpatient ward.
The donation also enabled St John’s to support health and social care colleagues to deliver excellent palliative and end of life care. On behalf of all the patients and families we care for – thank you so very much!
Thank you Westmorland & Furness Council, your donation helped us to buy new Rise and Recline chairs to keep the patients on our ward comfortable.
‘The specialist recliner chairs that we provide at each of our patients’ bedsides, allow them maximum comfort in or out of bed. They are fully adjustable from seated to lying flat, and maintain a level of comfort that protects all vulnerable skin pressure areas. They allow patients to sit with their visitors, rather than remain in bed and help to maintain patients’ independence for as long as possible.’
David was kind enough to shared Jean’s story as part of our 2024 Newsletter. Thank you again to him for sharing Jean and his experiences of St John’s Hospice.
“When I think of St John’s, I think of Diane and Pippa coming to the rescue. Whether it was practical stuff or emotional reassurance, they were there. The support is massive and I needed it.
When I think of Jean there’s thousands of memories swimming round – after 57 years of marriage, two children and two grandchildren there would be! We met at Junior School. Mr Waywell told me, “Sit next to Jean: you’ll thank me in later life.” he was right. Our first kiss was at Half Moon Bay, the rest is history.
Jean was a busy woman – looking after the family, working, joining clubs, dancing, helping the Brownies and Guides, and ‘fluffing’ flowers. She was always reasonably healthy. Then the cancer diagnosis came and 18 months later we knew it couldn’t be cured. Pippa, our St John’s Clinical Nurse Specialist helped us with the advance planning because Jean wanted it all sorted out. It was comforting to both of us that everything was in place.
Jean wanted to be at home, so I looked after Jean at home for 18 months. It’s really tiring and can feel lonely but it’s what we both wanted. I couldn’t have managed without the family and St John’s. St John’s know how important it is to celebrate life events too. We wanted a family get-together for our 57th wedding anniversary. Diane bought a bottle of Prosecco to help everyone celebrate and there were hugs all round. That night I said to Jean, “Night, night, I love you”, Jean said, “I love you too” and as always, I held her hand as she went to sleep. Jean never woke up again.
There were lots of people at Jean’s funeral because she was loved by lots of people. We chose Tina Turner’s ‘Simply the Best’ because she was. To remember Jean, we had a collection for St John’s and planted six trees for her.
How am I getting on now? It just depends, one moment there’s a recollection and I laugh, another time there’s a memory and I cry. Talking to her photo helps. I still buy flowers every week, but I can’t ‘fluff’ them quite the way Jean did!
I’m still flabbergasted at the amount of work St John’s do. I used to wonder why they were always fundraising, now I know why – so many different types of care and support that we all need, and it all needs paying for.”
David Rush
You can find out more about St John’s Hospice Community Services on their pages here.
As part of our Forget Me Not Centre 2nd Birthday Appeal, we’d like you to meet Rachael, a Family Support Practitioner!
I see how each day can bring a variety of challenges for our families. I balance creative activities, therapeutic sessions and educational programmes that allow children, young people and adults to accept and understand their emotions. We encourage people to share memories and relate to others, enabling them to express their grief & ultimately restore hope.
Find out about my week so you can see how the money you raise helps people receive the support they need when dealing with the death of a loved one.
I deliver group sessions in a local primary school to support children cope with loss and change using art, play and music to express their grief.
We offer an informal and relaxed setting for bereaved adults to meet new friends.
“Grief Café is caring, sympathetic and warm – it will help you in your grief.” – Attendee Feedback
I take a small group of teenagers who have lost a parent to a café for lunch, to help them engage with one another in a safe space outside the pressures of school.
The Family Therapist and I support families both individually and together, this can be before or after their loved one has died.
“Great session as always, we always feel better after being able to talk and be open with friendly families” – Attendee Feedback
This weekly group takes part in a range of activities to remember and celebrate a loved one that has died.
“Always good to see the children reminiscing with others that have experienced similar journeys.” Attendee feedback
We have launched a special birthday appeal to mark the 2nd birthday of The Forget Me Not Centre at St John’s Hospice. The centre provides ‘wrap around’ bereavement care to local children, adults and families. This care can include creative activities, therapeutic resources and sessions to express their grief and restore hope.
In 2023 alone, the centre provided 253 bereavement support sessions for adults, 135 therapy sessions for children and young people, and dozens of group support sessions in the centre and in local schools.
The Forget Me Not Centre 2nd Birthday appeal aims to help more local people receive the bereavement support they need. Families like Melanie Thompson and her daughters, who have been supported by the Forget Me Not Centre team, before and after the death of their loving husband and father, Darren.
“We went as a family and felt at ease straight away with the lovely team. We met families going through the same as us or the loss of a loved one; making memories books and doing activities based around grief and how it makes you feel.”
“We couldn’t thank the Hospice enough for our amazing 3 weeks with Darren before his passing and the amazing work the Forget Me Not Centre offers to us even after death.”
“We would be truly lost without this amazing place, and we will continue to go when we need to…it’s made the loss more bearable.”
Darren sadly died on Father’s Day in 2023
Emma Burns, Head of Bereavement Services of the Forget Me Not Centre, said
“The centre is a safe space for individuals and families to help cope with the death of someone they love.”
“This appeal suggests a one-off donation to the Forget Me Not centre on its 2nd birthday. Such donations can make a positive and practical difference for a family like the Thompson’s or to someone who is grieving alone. Thank you to everyone donating to this appeal for thinking of St John’s.”Please consider making a special one-off birthday donation to our appeal today. Simply visit sjhospice.org.uk/fmncbirthday or call the St John’s Supporter Care team (Monday- Friday, 9am- 5pm) on 01524 382538.
We welcome your furniture donations to St John’s Hospice.
To arrange a free furniture collection please fill in the form below or contact your nearest St John’s Hospice Furniture Shop.
Thank you for supporting St John’s Hospice.
