Trekking the Himalayas for ChildLine

The idea of a charity walk in the Himalayas was first proposed by Beth Courtier, Head of Charity Programmes for BT. She saw it as an opportunity to raise funds for ChildLine - the beneficiary of a multi-million pound award-winning campaign to give young people a voice. Our company, Corporate Culture, is involved in the campaign, helping to imagine new possibilities and implement them.

As soon as it was mentioned, it seemed like a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see the world's greatest mountain range, visit India and get fit. I would miss my wife and my two boys - Andrew and Alexander - but it was only for 10 days.

I needed every day of the eight month lead-in time. The commitment is huge. I worked out three times a week, got the jabs, bought the kit and raised the funds. That's easy to say but takes a lot of time to do. But with a week to go I was ready.

We flew (sleepless) to Istanbul then on to Delhi. From Delhi we got the overnight train to the north of India and then a three hour jeep ride to a hotel near Dharamsalla. That's close to McLeod Ganj where the Dalai Llama hangs out - visited recently by Michael Palin for his Himalaya series.

For five days we walked hard. It was sometimes easy, sometimes challenging but always unexpected. The risks I thought I faced - like heat or altitude sickness - didn't materialise. Other risks - like tiredness and cold - took their place. At one point, 3000 metres up we found ourselves in camp with one guy suffering from hypothermia, our tents leaking water and several people with wet sleeping bags. The night temperature was going to be sub-zero and our doctor was genuinely concerned. Several of the team were forced to spend the night in a basic mountain cabin.

So, if you are considering a charity trek, make sure the trek organisers have considered all possible weather, that your kit is protected from rain and that the tents are fully waterproofed. Expect to make friends and to have stomach bugs. And focus on the cause. It makes everything worthwhile.

Registered charity no: 1003758