A Wolverhampton council worker has completed the challenge of a lifetime – and raised hundreds of pounds for a wildlife conservation charity in the process.
Jane Blair trekked for nine days through the remote Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan, reaching altitudes of around 5,000m on the way, in support of The David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation's tiger conservation campaign, Tigertime.
The 37-year-old, who lives in South Staffordshire, said: “I love animals and being outdoors and wanted to do something way outside my comfort zone to raise money for a conservation-related cause.
"It was the most amazing experience, and by far the most physically challenging thing I’ve ever done. Some parts were really tough, partly due to a lack of sleep, loss of appetite and a constant headache for the first half of the trek as I got acclimatised, but we somehow made it to the end and have now forgotten the pain.
"Bhutan is a beautiful unspoilt country and I started planning a return trip before I arrived home; I can’t wait to go back.
"We also felt the recent earthquake in Nepal but fortunately it was only very minor in Bhutan. My heart goes out to all of those who were caught up in the disaster."
Jane, who has been manager of Wolverhampton City Council's mediation service for nearly eight years, resolving neighbour and workplace conflict, added: “I'd like to thank everyone who supported me and have so far helped me raise over £900 for Tigertime."
The David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation says that, without action, tigers could become extinct within a decade because of the impact of humans from illegal poaching and destruction of their habitat.
Anyone who would like to sponsor Jane can do so by visiting her fundraising page www.justgiving.com/janeblairart. For more information about Tigertime, please visit www.tigertime.info.
