THE SKYDIVE CHALLENGE (UK)

I discovered my love for hiking in my late 30s, starting with Mount Snowden in 2021 for Gaza. Since then, my daughter Mariyam and I have taken part in many charity hikes, combining wellbeing with purpose. This year we joined Farzana in the UK and hiked Pico Do Areiro in Madeira. Tough but unforgettable, especially doing it together and reflecting on Gaza.

I am nine and have been hiking for charity since I was four. My first hike was Aysgarth Waterfalls for Gaza, and since then I’ve enjoyed trails like Mam Tor and Malham Cove. This year I joined Auntie Farzana on the Madeira trek. It was windy and tough, but I kept going for Gaza and loved the support and new friends.

On Kilimanjaro, we weren’t asked to reach the summit, only to give our absolute limit — and we did. The unity among us was powerful, filled with support and positivity. Not everyone summited, yet everyone achieved something meaningful. Our resilience and shared mission for Gaza and Syria turned this challenge into a transformative and unforgettable experience.

Hiking has taught me that with the right support, ordinary people can achieve extraordinary things. Leading challenges is more than reaching summits; it is about building confidence, community, and purpose. Every step we take raises hope for families in need. I am grateful to witness people push their limits and discover their strength while making a real impact.

“We can do this” was the motivation Farzana repeated from the first meeting to the final steps of the trek. Her calm leadership, safety focus, and ability to empower everyone, especially women trekking abroad for the first time, were outstanding. She guided us through tough weather with confidence, leaving us stronger, inspired, and eager for future adventures with her.