In September of 2011 I took part in a very successful charity trek across the Gobi Desert as part of a team called Gobi United in aid of two Scottish Charities, The Davie Cooper Centre and MND Scotland.
The Gobi United team members came from all walks of life and although most of us had never met each other before signing up for the trek, after several months of supporting each other in our individual fundraising events and then spending two weeks together in Mongolia, experiencing everything Mongolian, many of us have become very good friends a bond which we would like to build upon. We were also very impressed by Dave Scott and the Sandbaggers support team. Throughout the year prior to the actual trek Dave Scott took the time to support our fundraising activities and provided us with all the information we needed to prepare for our charity trek, from hosting seminars, organising our visas to providing lists of kit we would require. This along with the actual trek experience, led by Phil Briggs has resulted in us forming a great relationship with both Sandbaggers and Sole Challenge.
Since returning from the Gobi several of us have caught the trekking bug and have been giving lots of thought to what we would like to do next. After some discussion we came to the conclusion that we couldn’t just go back to the normal 9 to 5 life and decided we would like to build on the great team spirit that is already there!
One of our fellow trekkers on the Gobi trip was the Rangers and Scotland football legend Willie Henderson who was an inspiration and a vital member of our group.
Willie’s daughter Michelle was diagnosed with cancer last year and has set up “The Michelle Henderson Cervical Cancer Trust”. We would like to show our support for Willie and his family during this difficult time for them all and have decided to organize another extreme adventure to raise vital funds and awareness for Michelle’s charity. Both Sandbaggers and Sole Challenge have also intimated that they would like to fully support us and The Michelle Henderson Cervical Cancer Trust.
I have been given the honour of co-ordinating this new trek into the Indonesian Jungle and the climb up the world famous volcano Mount Krakatoa and along with some of my Gobi United team mates we have decided to join together again for this fundraising trek under the new banner of INDO UNITED.
Although we have a core group of team members, we are looking forward to new people coming on board as part of INDO UNITED adding to the dynamics of our group and making this trek an even bigger and more successful fundraising event.
My experience over the last year has changed my life for the better forever and I look forward greatly to meeting new friends and being part of another amazing life changing adventure.
DENIS GRIFFIN
