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Parliamentary Reception for Sinai Trekkers
Published on September 27, 2008
Recently, twelve young people aged from twelve to twenty-two took advantage of a once in a lifetime experience and trekked around the Sinai desert for fourteen days. They encountered harsh terrains and almost unbearable temperatures. The trek was organised as an event to both raise money for the works of Jigsaw4u, to enable to charity to expand its services throughout Surrey, and allow these young people to encounter a journey that very few people have had the honour of taking. As Anne Davies, the Chief Executive of Jigsaw4u explained, “This harsh journey through the Sinai desert is a reflection of the harsh journey of bereavement”, many of the young people could relate to this which made this trek even more important to them. The group managed to raise an amazing Ј40,000 for the charity, enabling the works to continue and help people who truly are in need of the aid Jigsaw4u provides.
One of the Patrons, Edward Davey, Liberal Democrat MP for Kingston hosted a Parliamentary reception on the 2nd of September 2008 which included a tour and a celebratory presentation. The young people, their families and other patrons of Jigsaw4u were shown such rooms as the Main Hall, the House of Lords’, House of Common’s Chambers and the Royal gallery. After the tour all of the participants and their families were invited for a presentation in the Jubilee Room. Three members of the group shared their experiences; Richard Chapman (a young man with a great future in photography) showed some of his pictures of the trip, Dawn Williams talked about the life changing nature off the trek and the grief support that she received from Jigsaw4u and twelve-year-old Mackensie Dyer, the youngest trekker, showed film footage of the journey.
All presentations revealed just how well everyone involved had done, the conditions they all had to endure, and how everyone worked towards one thing; spreading support for those who have suffered loss and bereavement.
The young people were presented with a hard back book of photographs taken by many of them and a certificate that marked their achievements which were presented by Anne Davies and Edward The day as a whole was a great success and had a great atmosphere. Everyone was interested to see what had taken place, and for those people involved to remember just how well they had done. We would like to say a huge thanks to all of those who took part in or supported the event, Jigsaw4u will continue its work thanks to their help!
Trekkers in photograph: Jade Currie, Mary Quigley, Gemma Harris, Ailsa Keyser, Elin Keyser, Dawn Williams, Mackensie Dyer, Justus Von Hanisch, Richard Chapman, Ian Kugler
Lewis Battle received a separate certificate for a speech that he gave at the parliamentary launch of the Grief Matters Campaign and also accepted his brother’s award.
Rhys Battle and Jordon Wilson, the remaining members of the trek were unable to attend.
Mark Gillett, the trek organiser and Hannah Freedman of Jigsaw4u also received the thanks of Jigsaw4u.
