Group's charity trek to frozen heights raises Dh180,000

Dubai: A dozen UAE residents who travelled to Nepal for Gulf for Good's latest charity challenge have raised Dh180,000 so far to build an orphanage near Kathmandu.

The New Youth Children's Development Society (NYCDS) orphanage currently operates from a rented house, which is both expensive and extremely inadequate. A new homeless children's eco-farm will be built on donated land with a G4G home for the kids.

The eco-farm will have a small organic fruit and vegetable garden and a playground for the kids. During the challenge, the participants were able to spend time with the 39 children currently under the NYCDS's care and went to the site of the new orphanage to plant fruit trees for their organic garden.

The 11-day trek took the participants, made up mostly of women, up to 5,415 metres. Brian Wilkie, G4G Founder and Chairman said this was "the toughest G4G challenge to date".

G4G challengers have to raise a set amount of money, which is donated to specific charity chosen in the challenge host country. Sandra Heeps, in her 50s, an Australian life and development coach, was participating for the first time. "I wanted to take time out after working all my life and finally turned the mirror on myself and decided I wanted to get involved with this charity group. G4G combines the things I love like travel and charity work," said Heeps. "I've never done anything as emotionally or physically challenging. We were all out of our comfort zone at one point or another but some moments were really magic."

G4G has already outlined future challenges in 2010, the first of which is a multi-activity challenge in Thailand's Golden Triangle, covering 345km in seven days. Participants will have the chance to see temples, limestone peaks, caves, elephants, waterfalls and an amazing mix of different cultures.

Funds raised will support a Human Development Foundation's project with disadvantaged Thai children.

Money will go to helping a farm on the outskirts of Bangkok to which boys who have been rescued from the streets have been placed, as it still requires material construction to meet the HDF's goals of giving the children a fulfilling home life.