Hi there! My name is Nicky Clargo and I'm organising my fourth charity trek to support Oxfordshire Mind. The treks are great fun and you get to meet some really nice people. You don't have to be super fit to take part either!*!* That's always an added bonus! If you're interested in coming along I'd love to hear from you... Here's some more info... ;o)

Oxfordshire Mind provides services for people who are experiencing mental and emotional health problems such as anxiety, bereavement, depression, loneliness, post-natal depression, recovery from breakdowns, stress and schizophrenia.

We are currently looking to recruit another 10 volunteers to take part in TREK IRELAND from 26th – 30th June 2009.

The registration fee will be £50 and fundraising / sponsorship will be £1,250.

For more information please contact Nicky Clargo on 01865 263733 or email nicky.clargo@oxfordshire-mind.org.uk

Itinerary

Day 1 - Depart London an afternoon flight to Cork. Met on arrival and transfer to Glenbeigh a small town on the coast of Kerry surrounded by Coomasaharn horse-shoe Mountains to the south, Seefin, and Curra to the east and west and Slievemish to the North for an evening meal and the first taste of the real Ireland!

Day 2 - Glenbeigh to Glencar/Lough Acoose (11 miles/18km, 270m ascent) An acclimatising walk leads along a quiet lane high above the beautiful Caragh Lake. It descends down to the Blackstone’s Bridge then through the woods to Glencar, a tiny settlement nestled in the middle of the peninsula besides the McGillycuddy’s Reeks meaning ‘The Black Stacks’, a mountain range stretching over 12 miles that includes the highest mountain in Ireland, Caeeantuohill at 1,039 metres. Before walking a little further to Lough Acoose.

Day 3 - Glencar to Black Valley (13 miles/21km, 360m ascent) We set off after a good hearty breakfast and walk past Lough Acoose, the starting point for a memorable circuit of Ireland’s highest mountain, Carrauntuohill. Continue past the Lough and isolated farms to walk up through the Reeks on the old lack road and into the isolated Bridia Valley. Climb out of the valley via a second mountain pass through wild and rugged hills descending into the Black Valley directly underneath Ireland’s highest mountains.

Day 4 - Black Valley to Killarney (14 miles/22.5km, 360m ascent) Our final day leads out of the Black Valley and back into the Killarney National Park. We will walk past the Upper Lake of Killarney, a site of one of Ireland’s unusual flora, the Strawberry Tree and continue to Lord Brandon’s Cottage into the Derrycunnihy Forest; an ancient oak woodland that is currently fighting a battle with the Rhododendron that is threatening to choke out the indigenous flora! Our final part of the route then joins up with Galway’s Bridge, where we follow the old Kenmare road past Muckross House to Killarney. Tonight we will experience true Irish hospitality starting with our traditional celebration. After this a visit to one of the lively pubs with traditional Irish Music would be a great way to wrap up the trip.

Day 5 We have a free morning to explore Killarney and the surrounding area. Ross castle is nearby and worth a visit along with the nearby national park. In the afternoon we will transfer back to Cork Airport for our flight to London.

STOP PRESS: Please visit our trekkers justgiving.com web pages if you’d like to offer your support:

www.justgiving.com/nickyclargo
www.justgiving.com/karensimpsontrek www.justgiving.com/marynapper
www.justgiving.com/trevwilliams
www.justgiving.com/karenwhelan
www.justgiving.com/sarahhatch www.justgiving.com/grahamlewsey
www.justgiving.com/maryandnigelbuxton
www.justgiving.com/raymonddilworth1