HIGH ALTITUDES, BIG IMPACT: IWONA'S JOURNEY TO THE EVEREST BASE CAMP
Sometimes, the most extraordinary adventures are born from spontaneous ideas. For Iwona Kaminska, sales assistant at ARL, a trek to Everest Base Camp wasn’t something she’d planned years in advance – it was a simple phone call from a friend, asking if she wanted to join him on an extraordinary adventure.
Having previously summited Mount Kilimanjaro and explored other rugged terrains in Poland and Andorra, she was no stranger to demanding outdoor expeditions and looked forward to her journey 5,364 metres above sea level!
The 12-day trek to Everest Base Camp, which included tough acclimatisation days to help the body adjust to the altitude, became not only a personal challenge but also an opportunity to raise money for a cause close to her heart: Railway Children Charity.
Railway Children Charity helps rescue vulnerable children at risk on the streets and across transport networks in India, Tanzania and the UK. The charity provides a range of services, including safe spaces, outreach programmes and support for children at risk. The charity also advocates for systemic change, working with governments and communities to improve child protection systems and prevent children from ending up on the streets in the first place.
"I’ve seen first hand how devastating it is for children living on the streets on my treks. Children who run away from abuse, neglect, poverty, family conflict, destructive relationships and lack of support end up on the streets filled with more abuse and exploitation. Railway Children Charity offers them a chance to rebuild their lives."
Iwona successfully finished her trek to the Everest Base Camp and raised £500 for the Railway Children Charity and donated it via their Just Giving initiative. She has also applied for the ARL charity initiative and nominated the Railway Children Charity to show her continued support.
Iwona's dedication to both her personal goals and the charity’s mission reflects the power of combining passion with purpose.
"What is also important is to find a reason to keep moving, something that motivates you. For me, that reason was that I was not doing this just for myself, but to raise money for children in need."
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