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THREE staff from Dromore Surgery have
returned from a 10-day "adventure of a lifetime" to Vietnam.
Dr. Eileen Atchison, nurse Rhoda Mark and
receptionist Sandy Ingram were among a party to take part in
Action Cancer's Trek to the country.
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Celebrations as
the Dromore surgery trio reach the end of Action
Cancer's Trek Vietnam. BL11505
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From left -
Dromore surgery nurse Rhoda Mark, receptionist
Sandy Ingram and Dr. Eileen Atchison during
their trek in Vietnam. BL11503 |
Each of the three had to raise at least
£3,000 ahead of the event, and aside from the satisfaction
of raising so much money for a good cause, the Vietnam trek,
said Rhoda was something everyone should experience once in
life. "It was a wonderful experience," she said. "You'd
never do the same thing again, but it was an eye-opener to
see how some of those hill tribes live.
"They are so happy with so little.
They're completely self-sufficient and do the most intricate
needlework, usually after working all day, carrying huge
loads on their back, women and children included."
Rhoda said the trio had found the trek to
be a huge challenge, though it was well organised by `
Across the Divide' on behalf of Action Cancer, and their
months of training in the Mourne mountains stood them in
good stead
Rhoda, Eileen and Sandy left earlier this
month for Hanoi, where they explored before taking an
overnight train to Lao Cai, where the challenge began in
earnest.
When they finished seven days later the
at Sapa there was a gala celebration at a local restaurant,
ahead of a day relaxing and exploring Sapa before an
overnight train journey back to Hanoi.
It seems the trio arrived home without a
blister between them though they don't want to see beef
noodle soup for quite some time.
All three women were full of praise for
the trek's organisers and the Action Cancer team of Kelly
and Gareth, who looked after them, provided encouragement
when needed and light entertainment at times.
There was praise too for the local guides
and the team of 70 porters who ran up the hills carrying
huge weights in baggage and "beautifully" prepared and laid
out all the food.
The three were no less appreciative of
all the help and support they received here at home and
thank their sponsors, the people of Dromore and district and
those further afield who gave generously of their time,
donations and support in so many different ways.
Ahead, in April, lies a reunion with the
many good friends the trio met during the trek.
Ulster Star
17/03/2006
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