Wednesday March 1, 2017
On the 9th March 26 volunteers from the hospitality industry will begin a once in a lifetime challenge and community trek to Nepal. An annual event, run by The Springboard Charity, and now in its 6th year – the participants will experience an off the beaten track adventure which includes five days trekking in the spectacular Mahalangur mountains and three days working with a local community school, to help rectify some of the damage caused by the destructive earthquake the region experienced in 2015.
Springboard is a charity that helps young people achieve their potential and nurtures unemployed people of any age into work. It helps alleviate poverty by supporting disadvantaged and underprivileged people into sustainable employment within hospitality, leisure and tourism.
Springboard are aiming to raise a total of £135,000 from participants of the Trek to help the communities in Nepal, and continue their great work for the UK catering and hospitality industry.
As industry leaders, the Bunzl Catering & Hospitality Division has taken part in this challenge for the last few years; putting forward two volunteers chosen by the division’s managing director – Matt Johnson.
This year Tina Pankova, Assistant Buyer from Bunzl Catering Supplies and Steven Walker, Design and Marketing Co-ordinator for Bunzl Speciality Businesses will be representing the division.
Tina comments “I see this trip as an exciting opportunity to support one of our industry’s leading charities, joining a team of like-minded people who want to make positive differences to people’s lives.
Nepal is on my ‘bucket list’ and I’m looking forward to exploring the country with adventurous and like-minded people from the industry. My mum is an experienced trekker and when I was younger my mother would often share books about Mount Everest, it’s thrilling to think that I will see these mountains on the trek”
Both Tina and Steven have been regularly practicing their hiking skills in preparation for the trip and have completed a training hike together over the uneven terrain of the Brecon Beacons.
Steven says “Applying for this trip was too good of an opportunity to miss. It will be a life-changing experience and will help Springboard continue their amazing work.
I’m very grateful to Bunzl Catering & Hospitality Division for offering this opportunity and feel privileged to have been chosen from the many who would have applied.”
Tina adds “Although I have some experience in mountain hiking and wild camping this trek will definitely push my limits. I think that it will be difficult not just physically but also mentally, so I want to stay strong and not let the hard conditions affect my positive attitude.”
Tina and Steven are on their way to achieving their fundraising goal, with generous donations from attendees of the recent divisional conference, and from colleagues, friends and family.
Tina says “I want to thank everyone who has helped us raise money for the Springboard charity, which will do so much good for people in need. And I’m really happy that we’ve helped raise awareness and involvement in the charity – not only at Bunzl but with our partner suppliers and customers too.”
You can support Tina and Steven on their Springboard project via these links:
Tina – https://mydonate.bt.com/fundraisers/alevtinapankova1
Steven – https://mydonate.bt.com/fundraisers/stevenwalker1
Or visit https://springboard.uk.net/events/fundraising/nepal-trek-2017 to find out more about the trek and the fantastic work that Springboard do.
Tina and Steven depart for Nepal on 9th March and we look forward to sharing their photos and insight when they return.
