Helen Clarke completes sponsored India trip
Integrity Print is happy to have proudly sponsored Helen Clarke, along with her brother Pete Dommett as they completed the challenging Dalai Lama Himalayan Trek in support of St. Margaret’s Hospice. Now that they have returned from their adventure, we are thrilled to share the captivating details of their expedition.
Helen embarked on her journey by first landing in Delhi and then making her way to Dharamsala, the residence of the Dalai Lama, to commence the trek. The route was adorned with Buddhist temples, prayer wheels, and flags, creating a spiritually enriching environment. The town itself offered a vibrant mix of temples, market stalls, and shops, providing a cultural immersion for Helen and Pete.
As the trek began, the first day turned out to be one of the most challenging, with an ascent of 1,100 meters (3,600 feet) into the foothills of the Himalayas. Despite the daytime warmth, evenings brought temperatures close to freezing, making their survival through weeks of such conditions truly commendable.
Helen’s route took them through small village communities, where farming was a key part of everyday life. This included seeing plenty of cabbage patches, maize fields, and farm animals. Some villages even provided unexpected encounters with local schools, allowing Helen’s group to connect with teachers and children eager to practice their English.
On the fourth day, Helen ventured deeper into the mountain range, navigating areas marked by landslides and slippery terrain. Achieving their goal of reaching mountain huts, the team was welcomed by a support crew and a warm meal. The method of cooking pasta over a fire added a unique touch to the experience. A sudden turn in weather, from rain to snow during a 3-hour walk back to the campsite, left them soaked but undeterred.
Despite the challenges, the following day—their last trekking day—brought bright and sunny weather. Helen walked along a ridge with breathtaking views of the mountain range, reaching the highest point of the entire trek at just under 3,000 meters (9,800 feet). Upon finally finishing their trek, they found a small shrine, in which Helen spent a few minutes to reflect how she came upon this journey, and what both she and her brother had achieved.
Helen and Pete embarked on this expedition as a heartfelt thank you to St. Margaret’s Hospice for the exceptional care provided to their late mother. We extend our heartfelt congratulations to Helen and Pete on the success of their expedition. Their tribute to their mother is truly inspiring, and we wish them the very best in all their future endeavours.
To find out how Helen prepared for her journey, you can read about it in our previous blog here. Whether it’s charity bike rides, sponsoring local sports teams, planting trees, fundraising for the NHS, or launching environmental initiatives, Integrity has always looked to make a valuable and positive contribution to our local community. Stay tuned for the latest updates from our News section.