Lian Dunwell and Sarah Watts recently trekked through the Colombian jungle to the Lost City to raise money for Winston’s Wish in memory of their friend Kerry Sargent. Before they went, they told us what they had decided to take on such a challenge.

In October 2018, our friend Kerry Sargent was killed in a tragic car accident while on holiday in New Zealand. It was supposed to be the holiday of a lifetime for Kerry, her wife Julie and their two children Ben and Olivia. Instead, while driving to dinner one evening a car collided with the family’s car. Kerry was pronounced dead at the scene and Julie was rushed to hospital. Thankfully, neither Ben or Olivia were seriously harmed in the accident but they are left dealing with the memory of that night and the huge void left in their family.

Kerry was a fun-loving lady, a caring wife, a supportive mum, an amazing friend and colleague. She was also a very special friend to us.

So, a year later, we will be trekking through the jungle to the Lost City in Colombia in order to raise money for Winston’s Wish who have been supporting Julie, Ben and Olivia since the death of their mum and wife. We’ll be trekking around 65 kilometres in the high heat and humidity of the jungle, and finishing with 1,200 steps to the Lost City on what would have been Kerry’s 43^rd birthday.

The Lost City is an experience of a lifetime and we are trekking with around 50 other people who are all raising funds for different charities. We’ve been trying to prepare with long walks several times a week during the hot summer and researching what to take and how to deal with any injuries we might get! We’re really looking forward to the challenge, especially meeting the indigenous tribes along the way, learning new skills, sharing the experience with other people, raising money for a worthy cause and, of course, a hot shower at the end of the trek!

The reason we have decided to raise money for Winston’s Wish is because of the amazing work they are currently doing to support Julie, Ben and Olivia. Every penny we raise from this trek will go directly to Winston’s Wish and we hope that the money goes some way to providing children like Ben and Olivia with the help, support and guidance they need.

Visit Lian and Sarah’s JustGiving page here.