Adam Sayid
Why I decided to do this trek
I’m not a socialist, but I do strongly believe that humans on an individual level are designed to help others around them, which is the key that helps life become more harmonious and beautiful. As the world is full of people who are so engulfed in poverty or drowned by bloody wars and some overwhelmed by the cycles of misfortunes, that it always requires a friendly hand from the fortunate ones to pull them out of such adversity and give them a fresh healthy start. “To serve others is to serve yourself” and “one for all and all for one” effectively captures this insight well.
Also, research shows that this is even hardwired in us, as when helping others for good reasons, people often experience significant benefits as well. Benefits may include better health, reduced stress, increased levels of happiness, and even a longer life. When we help others, our brains release oxytocin, serotonin and dopamine. These hormones have the effect of boosting our mood and counteract the effect of cortisol (the stress hormone). This phenomenon is known in psychology as ‘helper’s high’, as it produces endorphins in the brain that provide a mild version of a morphine high. Research has shown that helping others lights up the same part of the brain as receiving rewards or experiencing pleasure.
On top of this as a Muslim I strongly believe in the goodness of charitable work. The Qur’an reminds me that charity helps us to overcome greediness in the following two verses; “Try to be Godwary for as much as you can by being heedful and faithful to his message and spending your wealth on the impoverished as this is good for your own soul. In-fact, the successful are the ones who overcome their own greed.” (64:16) And that it is the Godwary and the virtuous, “who are the first to rush passionately to do philanthropical works.” (23:61)
Henceforth, I try to do something for charity organisations once every year. In the past I have cycled 30 miles, I have baked, slept rough, sold stuff, car washed etc. This summer I decided to trek the highest mountain in the UK, known as Ben Nevis.
Though I love charitable work and encourage all to always make time for some kind of charity, at the same time I always like to remind myself that charity should be seen as a short-term solution. No doubt the surge of donations and the great efforts of charity organisations are making a huge difference to people’s lives, but we must not forget that this is a short-term solution; the long-term solution being a political one. In the Qur’an this political solution is known as Zakaah. Take for example the health poverty in the UK, it took political steps in the form of NHS to eradicate this poverty. So never think that you are in no position to make a political difference all on your own. It took one man in Britain, Aneurin Bevan, who paved the way for the establishment of the NHS.
Why I chose Marie Curie
For my charity work this year I chose Marie Curie, as I have noticed they do valuable work that needs recognitions, especially in the Asian community. That was the primary intention of choosing Marie Curie. And also, thanks to facebook algorithm which detected and put together my searches on trekking and charitable fundraising and then bombarded my timeline with upcoming trekking for various charities, of which Marie Curie’s caught my attention.
As I browsed through the information on this charity, I learnt that Marie Curie provides valuable care and support to people living with a terminal illness and those close to them. Often, we don’t know how to deal with knowing a loved one will be leaving us soon, as terminally illnesses are horrible for not just the direct victim, but all those around them. Hence this charity goes a long way in making a terminally ill person and their close ones get all the right support they need. I know how important and valuable this is as I have had many people around me who lost someone through a terminal illness. My own father currently suffers the early stages of cancer.
The censures I faced for choosing a ‘non-Muslim’ charity organisation
Our Asian Muslim community seem to believe that they should only give charity to ‘Muslim ones’. Of-course, not everyone thinks like this, but quite a lot do and its plain ignorance on their part, as Islam doesn’t have any such teachings.
If I chose a ‘Muslim charity’ then I would’ve easily raised a few thousand. In-fact many online associates censured my efforts of advertising Marie Curie, as they do not understand that charities do not belong to a specific religion. There is no such a thing as a ‘Muslim’ and ‘non-Muslim’ charity organisation, who intentionally keep their activities separated from one another! Charitable donations are physical manifestations of the human proclivity to empathy. If this becomes factious, on the grounds of religiosity, ideology, nationalism etc, then first and foremost it’s a betrayal of one’s own humanity, and secondly if your ‘faith’ demands this of you, then know that your faith has long been hijacked by the devil, and if you cannot see the devilishness in this, then you’re severely indoctrinated and bigoted!
Why did I choose to hike for charity
I love hiking and walking in the countryside! I developed this during the 2020 lockdown and have been hooked ever since. I find it does wonders for not just my physical health but find it more mental than physical. I guess breaking through pain barriers requires good mental strength! I’m not going to pretend that it isn’t hard work, but it’s the most rewarding thing I have ever done. I love the fact that it takes me to places of incredible beauty, and it challenges me to find untapped reserves of strength and resourcefulness deep inside my body. It truly empowers me!
Preparing for the day of the trek
I run a small hands-on catering business and the peak of the business is during the weekend. So, I had to book a friend to cover me while I take leave for the trek.
On Friday evening I set off for Fort William, Scotland, which is 288 miles away from where I live and approximately 6 hours drive. With one short toilet break at a service station halfway through the journey I arrived around 11pm at my hotel room, which I booked few weeks in advance.
I tried to fall asleep as soon as I can to get fully energised for the big day that starts from 7am. Unfortunately, due to change of bed and the feelings of excitement meant I couldn’t fall asleep for another few hours!
The trek day 24.09.2022
I woke up at 7am feeling tired, but excited. Had a quick brekkie at the hotel and left for the point of meeting following the instructions given by Marie Curie.
Upon arrival my equipments were checked by a Marie Curie steward and once he was satisfied with my equipments I was given a number to be worn. At various locations during the climb and descent there were other stewards who checked off my number. I loved these measures of safety for the fundraisers and the professionalism that Marie Curie executed so well.
The climb
Of-course, this was the most strenuous thing I ever did in my life, but because my average day doesn’t start this early, the lack of sleep and long drive made my first hour of walk very tyring and strenuous. I was clearly struggling and kept thinking how will I do the rest of the climb! However, after this initial hour the next few hours became easier. Especially when I began socialising to getting to know other fellow hikers.
I thank the Lord almighty, after 4 hours of hard climb I reached the summit! Can’t describe the feeling. I felt triumphant! A sheer feeling of accomplishment and happiness. When you reach the summit after that painstakingly long trail at every turn of which you asked a passer-by how much more it was till the peak and all those times you thought your lungs will explode from extreme panting, or your legs can’t hold you up any longer, it gives you an amazing sense of self confidence, at the same time making you feel humbled by the intimidating presence of nature around.
The Descent
After spending around an hour admiring the sheer beauty of nature, resting, having a light lunch, and not to mention the photo shoots of the achievement, started to make for the descent. You’d think this is the easy part, but after an hour or so my body was severely struggling and was shutting down on me! So, I took plenty of sitting rests to give my hurting legs and hips some recovery time but kept them short, and most importantly I kept going!
After around 3.5 hours I reached the end. The feeling of reaching the end was just as thrilling as at the summit.
Thoughts of the experience
If there is one feeling I wish I could package up and share with the world, it would be the way mountains makes me feel. I have never felt more alive, free and strong in myself than when standing on top of a mountain. The wind blowing around me, clouds shifting to give way to a beautiful sunset, my heart and lungs beating. I literally feel on top of the world.
If you feel down in life, go and make similar memories; they are special and these memories become the anchor that keeps us uplifting during the moments when life tries to pull us down!
I cannot thank my Maker enough for giving me this successful opportunity.
The fundraise
After some gentle reminders I made to all my family, friends and associates for donations with pictures of my climb, the donations started rolling in. To my surprise I surpassed by 500% of the obligated amount! Everyone donated so generously. Such beautiful generosity is the reason why I love fundraising for charity. In-fact, I’m already organising my next year’s fundraising event!
I would like to thank my family, friends and associates from the bottom of my heart for these wonderful donations. Thank you.
The best news from all this effort is when I got an email from Marie Curie to inform me that my fundraise was one of the highest!
SOME PHOTOS OF THE TREK
