“They came, they saw, they conquered”

 After 15 days of high altitude trekking our dedicated team completed the 130km round-trek to the foot of the highest point on earth and at the same time have raised thousands to support children across the county recovering from serious crime.

Team Embrace made up of survivors of childhood crime, serving and retired police officers, and charity supporters successfully scaled new heights to help improve the lives of children affected by crime and we couldn’t be more proud. 

Our Everest Team includes:

• Jimmy Adams, a Head Chef from Cambridgeshire 
• Hannah Baxter, a Nursery Practitioner from Norfolk
• Jack Aston-hull, Activity Leader for Bear Grylls Adventure from West Midlands
• Emily Griffiths, a Charity Fundraiser for Merlins Magic Wand Charity from Dorset
• Caroline Easton, a Retired Police Officer from Hampshire
• Ian Scott , a Retired Police Officer from Dorset
• Allan Dattani, a Retired Police Officer from Wales
• Rhys Dickinson, Embrace Young Ambassador and Charity Board Member from Essex
• Jacqueline Coleman, a Schools Liaison Officer from Northamptonshire
• Richard Millen, Owner of Cambridge Filmworks from Cambridgeshire
• Adam Giles, Owner of Cambridge Filmworks from Cambridgeshire 
• Nick Halsam, Anaesthetist and Expedition Doctor from London

The adrenaline fuelled journey has no doubt been a true test mental and physical power but our team of 12 devoted trekkers have defiantly proved that no mountain too high to climb.

Chief Executive Anne Campbell said: “Trekking to Everest Base Camp is a daunting mission – our team did marvellously well and have raised many thousands of pounds for young victims of serious crime.

“They will have made memories to last a lifetime and new friends too.  Very well done and on behalf of all those you will help, a massive thank you.

“Next year Embrace will be tackling China’s Great Wall – who will join us?!”

Led by an expert Sherpa guide the exciting journey has been captured by TV documentary crew Cambridge Filmworks which will chart Rhys’s epic and emotional journey as he takes on the challenge of a lifetime for the charity.

Rhys Dickinson, 23, suffered years of physical and sexual abuse as a child and was supported by Embrace through his recovery.

Now Rhys is an avid fund-raiser, advocate for victims of childhood abuse and the charity’s youngest ever Board member. 

Rhys Dickinson said: “The Everest basecamp trek was an  incredible experience, I was incredibly proud to represent Embrace and Child victims of crime on this trek, to show that no matter what you can achieve anything, coming through my childhood of abuse to standing under the highest point on earth was a long and emotional journey but to be stood at basecamp was phenomenal and really does show you can achieve anything with strength and determination.  

“The support from Embrace helped me to overcome so many challenges in my life and I hope me doing this trek shows really what you can achieve when you get support.”

Every penny raised by our team will be used to deliver emotional, practical, specialist and well-being support to children and families across the UK impacted by serious crime.

Embrace is the only national charity solely focused on helping children and families impacted by serious crime to recover, providing therapeutic support including emotional and practical help, family breaks and well-being services, and specialist counselling in areas where it is funded.

If you would like to show your support there’s still time to donate: https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/EmbraceCVoC

Thank you so much in advance for your support and donations – together we can help children and families affected by crime cope, recover and fulfil their potential.

To find out more about Embrace CVoC visit www.embracecvoc.org.uk