Karen's trek of a lifetime

We’ve all heard of the charity Help for Heroes and the incredible work it does, but it has a particularly special place in one of our staff member’s heart.

Karen Usher, a paramedic from Harwich station, saw first-hand how the charity changes people’s lives after her husband Jay was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after leaving the army through injury.

Karen said: “Help for Heroes has been a great support not only for him, but many other wounded, injured or sick service personnel and veterans like him, who have now become affectionately known as the ‘band of brothers’.

Help for Heroes helps past and present military personnel to make sense of life post-injury, and Karen herself has become part of the ‘band of sisters’, which supplies support, - recognition and fellowship to those who have provided care for our hero’s in need.

So to give something back, Karen is joining a 30 strong group of people undertaking a 10 day experience of a lifetime in Burma, which will include five days of trekking with her fellow ‘sisters’.

 “I am massively proud of my husband and how he manages to deal with his injuries”, Karen said, “for me this challenge will be both mentally and physically demanding but that pales in comparison to what some of the Help for Hero’s brothers have to deal with on a daily basis.

 “My husband is my hero and hopefully this will show him how much pride I have in his courage to stay strong and never give up”.

The trek route will take participants through jungle, farmland and quiet villages, ending with a trip along Lake Inle. The challenge is packed full with cultural discovery and exceptional trekking.

This will be the first time that Karen has undertaken a challenge of this magnitude: - “I have taken part in fundraiser weekends at supermarkets, so this is certainly different!”

But it sounds like she is getting herself prepared and ready, taking on long walks in between shifts, alongside her usual gym workouts.

There is still plenty of time to sponsor Karen and give to this fantastic cause, just head over to her Just Giving page.

Published 8th February, 2017