Eye care professionals, their friends, and family are invited to join a seven-day guided walk of the spectacular Larapinta Trail in Central Australia, to raise money to help fund more Indigenous doctors to be trained to become ophthalmologists.
The trek, which will take place from 23-29 June 2024, was initiated by ophthalmologist Dr Nisha Sachdev from City West Eye Specialists in Leichhardt Sydney, in collaboration with the Australian and New Zealand Eye Foundation (ANZEF).
An avid hiker, Dr Sachdev is also a keen fundraiser, who has previously climbed Mt Kilimanjaro, and participates in runs and swims, to support charities.
You carry a day pack – all your other luggage is transported for you – and you stay in huts; it’s a bit like glamping.
Dr Sachdev said the rich Indigenous heritage of the Larapinta Trail, which crosses through the ancient landscapes of Australia’s Red Centre, provides the perfect backdrop for her next fundraiser.
“As we walk, our guide will talk about the heritage of the area and we hope to get a local ophthalmologist to come with us to talk about the eye care issues facing Indigenous communities in the area,” Dr Sachdev said.
With the trek managed by Human Charity Challenge, the charitable arm of World Expeditions, she said participants will be in good hands.
“This is not a rough and ready walk. You carry a day pack – all your other luggage is transported for you – and you stay in huts; it’s a bit like glamping. The walk is level and comfortable and we’ve planned it for April because the conditions are great for a trek. You just need to be walking fit for seven days.”
The cost to join the walk is AU$3,000 and all participants are expected to fundraise (or pay as a tax deductible donation) an additional $2,500.
