SALFORD council worker Sameena Matthiessen will be trekking in Peru to raise money for human rights organisation Amnesty International.
She will be among 16 other trekkers next May being sponsored to walk for up to eight hours a day at 4,600 meters above sea level.
The full trek will take six to seven days, starting from the Inca capital, Cusco, and heading towards the remote Lares Valley in Machu Picchu, Peru. In total, the trip will last 10 days, giving volunteers a chance to explore Machu Picchu and meet supporters of Amnesty International Peru.
Amnesty International has been a big part of Sameena’s life, since she joined in the ’90s as a student in Denmark.
Sameena said: “I’m definitely challenging myself, I didn’t fully comprehend what I had signed up for at first. I made sure I told everyone so I couldn’t pull out, if it wasn’t for Amnesty International UK I don’t think I’d be doing it!”
In 2005, Sameena joined the Manchester branch of Amnesty International branch, going on to chair it for three years and become the North-West regional representative, looking after 24 groups in the area.
Her work includes organising marches, talks and campaigns in support of human rights, including taking part in Amnesty’s Write for Rights.
Despite being nervous about the altitude due to her travel sickness, Sameena seems fairly prepared. She has taken part in a Salford 10K run, takes regular walks in the Peak District and enjoys walking her Labrador dog.
The target is to raise is £3,980, partly to fund the trip but mainly to raise money for Amnesty International. So far she has received more than 42 per cent of her target amount, from more than 40 supporters including the City Major of Salford on her Just Giving page.
With time spread across her career and charity work, she explains: “I work at Salford city council as well as actively taking part in Amnesty International. It does require lots and time and effort but it is all worth it when it’s going to such an amazing cause. I want to use my voice for change.”
To maximise support, every week at work Sameena holds a ‘charity Tuesday’, baking cakes for her colleagues to buy in order to help her achieve her goal. Currently, she is planning to host a quiz night as well as a raffle.
You can hear a podcast of her interview with Salford City Radio on Tuesday here.
Charity challenge for #Amnesty I was on @SalfordCRadio 29Nov – listen to podcast https://t.co/y2kbNiXFxb
Local music and charities pic.twitter.com/tX9b6tDBww— Sameena takes a hike (@takeahike_sm17) November 30, 2016
And to anyone considering taking on a huge challenge for a cause or charity, she says: “Just go for it. There are some really nice people out there who are willing to help and support important causes. Giving back is also so rewarding.”
To donate to Sameena’s charity trek online or via text message click here.
Recent Comments