180km trek in support of LB Sanctuary Cambodia

On 20th June, myself and Cathy will be heading down to Cornwall to walk 180km of the South West Coastal Path from Newquay all the way down to The Lizard, the most southerly point of the United Kingdom.

We have just 8 days to complete this challenge, sleeping in tents, carrying all our clothing and equipment for the entire length of the route.

Why would we do this? Apart from the sheer beauty of the Cornish coast, there is a very special lady who needs our help - 'Other' Lynne... please read on below.

All about 'Other' Lynne

Lynne is a former RAF nurse and midwife who has worked extensively as an outreach nurse in sexual health for Doncaster’s under-16s and as a national trainer and therapist.

It is a decade since Lynne first took her skills to the former “Killing Fields” of the Cambodia to work with children as young as six who have been abused, traumatized and trafficked into sexual slavery. She has used her annual holiday each year for the past 10 years to serve some of the most vulnerable and destitute people on the planet, offering counselling, therapeutic group work, training and humanitarian support for those who are exploited and oppressed.

Lynne has recently returned from her longest trip to date, having spent the entire last 12 months out in Cambodia. After a short ‘rest’ to complete her Master’s degree, she will be heading back out to Cambodia this summer for another year.

Lynne’s work is a far cry from an adult gap-year or poverty tourism; Lynne is a self-employed counsellor taking time from her own professional life to help children, young people and families living in absolute poverty. Her work is 100% voluntary and although she now works alongside an international charity, their funding goes in part to the small number of Khmer staff, but mainly to supporting the rescued children; international volunteers must self-fund.

Don’t just take my word for it, catch up on her blog from her past year in Cambodia, and read the testimonials that speak for themselves:

https://lbsanctuarycambodia.wordpress.com/testimon...

My mum was an avid supporter of Lynne’s work in Cambodia, knitting teddies for the children and funding books for rural schools. Three years ago when Mum was taken ill, 'Other' Lynne was of invaluable support to my family, in particular my Dad. Lynne provided my Mum with much comfort in her final days, and I really don’t know how myself and my family would have coped without her.

It's time to give something back.