BRITISH athletes may be limbering up for next year’s Olympics but Keech Hospice Care is sending its own team to canoe down the mighty Zambezi, Africa’s fourth largest river.
The challenge takes place on July 2012 and will start with a volunteering opportunity in Lusaka. Keech supporters will take part in projects to help the local community. These will include assisting in schools or at the local HIV centre.
Participants will then head out through the beautiful wilderness of the Zambezi national park. They’ll spend four days canoeing along the river, camping each night under the vast African skies.
Much of the area has protected status and teams with a range of wildlife including elephant, hippo, impala, crocodile, buffalo, lion and leopard.
A trip to the Victoria Falls - Mosi-Oa-Tunya, the ‘smoke that thunders’ – is an optional extra.
No previous canoeing experience is necessary but anyone signing up for the challenge will need to be fit and put in some body conditioning work before setting off on this incredible safari.
Last year 19 fearless fundraisers, including television personality Billy Byrne from DIY SOS, took part in Keech’s first overseas trip to India.
They carried out vital volunteering work at Delhi’s cancer hospice before trekking through the mountains of northern India.
Spokesman Lou Batchelor said: “This was literally the trip of a lifetime. I think we all surprised ourselves with what we accomplished, as individuals and as a team.”
They raised a staggering £60,000 for Keech Hospice Care.
The new Zambezi canoeing challenge is a great way to raise funds for Keech two hospice services which support more than 250 adult patients and almost 300 families looking after a life-limited child.
Events manager Laura Devine said: “We’re certain that this will be an experience to remember for everyone who takes part. And the money raised for Keech will go such a long way to help us continue our work caring for local people.”
The hospice focus is on patients enjoying the best possible quality of life in the time they have with their families.
It also provide a range of treatments and complementary therapies including music and hydrotherapy.
- For more details about the Zambezi challenge contact Laura on 01582 707946 or email ldevine@keech.org.uk or visit www.keech.org.uk