for Grief Encounter's 20th Anniversary and my 30th Birthday

This year is Grief Encounter's 20th Anniversary and my 30th Birthday. I always said that for this milestone I would like to raise funds for a charity close to my heart. It feels like fait that I am organising our charity challenge 'Trek Slovenia', so I have chosen this as my challenge so I can be there on the journey too & make the event the best it can be.

My Grandmother and so many close ones have been taken from my friends and family across the last two years. It has been heartbreaking to see, feel and accept. I have also watched close ones tackle life at a young age without the guidance & support of a parent or guardian and the journeys they have embarked on to learn to deal with grief. For someone close, this resulted in homelessness.

I, having had my mental health challenges myself, know first hand the impact that mental health support can have on your life. Being out in nature, you can process your thoughts and I certainly reap the benefits of walks with my doggo. For someone dealing with grief, this can be how they start their healing journey.

I want to Trek and raise funds too..

- Raise awareness of the support that Grief Encounter provides bereaved children, young people, and their families after the death of someone close... so many of the incredible people I speak to who have experienced grief wished that they had known about the support available to them.

- Be able to fundraise £2400, which would fund enough for families to have a dedicated point of contact who can stay with them for the longevity of their time with Grief Encounter. This could majorly change the course of their future.

- Challenge myself for the important people we have lost, remembering my beloved Grandma, the Queen of the Billingsley family.

Trek Slovenia will bring like-minded people together, to accomplish something bigger than just the event. But in memory of someone close. My goal for the event is for people to leave feeling ‘healing and hope’, as well as make connections/friends with shared experiences.