The Liggins family’s Inspired gift – the China Moon Bear Rescue challenge

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Kevin Liggins and his family were inspired to join the China Moon Bear Rescue Challenge after losing their wife/mother Tracy to bowel cancer. Tracy had been a long-standing supporting of Animals Asia.

“She really did see the world through different eyes,” Kevin told the 500-strong group of friends and family who gathered together to pay tribute to Tracy at her memorial service. “She marvelled at the wonders of nature, she adored all creatures great and small and she always saw the good in everything and everyone.”

Before she died, Tracy had told Kevin that, if she were ever well enough again, she would travel to remote parts of the world to offer whatever help she could to rescue and free animals that were being oppressed and cruelly treated. When this became impossible, she asked that instead of sending flowers to commemorate her, people donate to Animals Asia. A total of $2,000 was raised.

Tracy was diagnosed with metastatic bowel cancer in July 2009, which had spread to the liver. The diagnosis came as a complete shock to Tracy and Kevin, and their sons Thomas and Anton and daughter Madeline. Tracy had no symptoms or signs to say she was carrying such a horrible disease. Tracy had been a devout vegetarian for close to 30 years, never smoked or drank, and exercised regularly. “We all thought she would outlive all of us,” said Kevin.

However, Tracy’s liver was beyond repair. “Thanks to the marvels of modern medicine her time with us was extended by one year and a week exactly. She remained graceful and positive right until her last days. We miss her so.”

Kevin and Tracy’s life together was full of adventure. As a young couple they spent two seasons working in the ski fields of Thredbo and driven across the Nullarbor Plain to Perth. As a family they travelled to New Zealand, the USA and Japan.

When Kevin heard about Animals Asia’s China Moon Bear Rescue Challenge with Inspired Adventures, he knew he couldn’t miss the opportunity to carry out one of Tracy’s dying wishes. He and his sons Thomas, who is now 20, and Anton, 22, have since signed up to the trip, which departs in May 2012, and committed to fundraising close to $20,000 for Animals Asia. Madeline would have loved to participate but unfortunately could not take the time away from her university studies.

The 12-day trip includes a visit to Animal Asia’s Moon Bear Rescue Centre in Chengdu, a few days exploring the historical sites of Beijing and five days trekking the Great Wall of China. Though many sections of this ancient wonder have been restored, conditions are variable, and some parts are steep and narrow. A good level of fitness is required.

“Thomas and Anton are more advanced in their training, spending countless hours in the gym and on their fitness in general,” said Kevin. “I on the other hand have quite a way to go but intend to step up my training after the festive season has passed.”

They have already raised the bulk of funds needed – close to $13,000. They organised a function attended by 150 people, with funds raised through raffling and auctioning donated prizes and gifts. Some of the funds have come through direct donations. They hope to raise the final $6,500 at a Charity Golf Day at Parkwood Golf Club on the Gold Coast.

“We are really looking forward to pushing each other to complete the Great Wall Trek and to help any way we can to support Animals Asia,” said Kevin. “We all really admire founder Jill and just how much of her life she has devoted to this cause. She really is inspirational – and hopefully more and more people can be inspired to be involved.”

“I’m sure a little part of Tracy will be with us all and that we make her proud. She was so passionate about the Moon Bears.”

An Inspired Christmas present — a Cure Cancer Mount Kilimanjaro challenge

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Margaret had received some inspirational gifts in her time but nothing quite like the present she received from her husband last Christmas – a Cure Cancer Kilimanjaro Challenge with Inspired Adventures.

“It was a complete and total surprise,” Margaret said. “I was emotionally overwhelmed. Even over the next couple of days, when anybody asked me what I got from Santa, I couldn’t help but cry.”

With the fundraising target already paid for by her husband, the pressure was off in terms of fundraising – a good thing as Margaret runs her own business and works very long days. Margaret decided to compliment her husband’s contribution anyway, and her daughter helped organise a trivia night that raised close to $3,000.

“The generosity of local business and the greater community and friends, was tremendous. Whenever Cure Cancer’s name was mentioned, there never was any hesitation, people were very happy to donate.”

At 62, Margaret enjoys taking the time to appreciate life – reading, quilting, eating good food and spending time with her family are important. In terms of hobbies and exercise, she loves gentle activities like gardening and golf. Now she can add trekking to the list!

To get fit for the Kili Challenge, Margaret spent lots of time bushwalking with other participants from the Cure Cancer Challenge. She also went to the gym. “I was aiming to do an hour’s workout each night,” she said, “ but managed maybe three nights a week.”

It was enough, as it turned out, to get her to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro, with a little help from Inspired’s Nadia Killeen who, despite being unwell herself, pushed Margaret ‘over the top’ when all she wanted to do was sleep, 10 metres from the summit.

“The trip was the highlight of all trips and maybe even my life – every day, walking, watching Mount Kili get closer and closer. My tent mate Sharon was amazing, with her sheer determination to place a plaque at the top of Mount Kili. The last day running down through the rainforest with three other trekkers – it was exhilarating. We had done it!”

And for the most part, the aspects of the trek that she feared the most – like the late night climb from Kibo Camp – while challenging, turned out to be a quite an adventure. “It was thrilling – Nadia and I walking in the dark across a dried up stream bed with only my headlight to see where we were going. I slept well that night!”

Margaret’s mother and sister are both cancer survivors so the Cure Cancer cause is close to her heart. “Their ability in getting the word out there is nothing short of terrific. My fullest compliments to Cure Cancer and Inspired Adventures on their part, coming up with great ideas and overwhelming support where we, us trekkers, benefited.”

Margaret would love to do the climb again but doesn’t want to tarnish the memories. “Everything, including the weather, was perfect. It has changed me,

having contact with so many kind-hearted people who were very supportive.” Instead, Margaret would like to go ‘home’ to Scotland one more time and do the Great Western Highlands Walk – perhaps in 2012.

Even now, six months after her return, Margaret is constantly surprised by people’s interest in her achievement. “One of my clients has asked that I write a little story for their group’s newsletter.” Recalling the memories won’t be a problem. “I still relive the trip as though it were yesterday.”

Inspirational Asian Insights

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★ LAOS  ★ CAMBODIA  ★ VIETNAM 

“Across the world, girls face double discrimination due to their gender and age, leaving them at the bottom of
the social ladder.” Plan

 

With 2012 just around the corner it is hard to believe that girls around the world still find themselves at the bottom of the social ladder. Research shows that:

  • girls are more likely to be forced into the sex trade;
  • more likely to suffer from malnutrition;
  • more likely to become infected with HIV;
  • more likely to be subjected to intimidation and violence and
  • more likely to be forced into marriage at an early age.

Our good friends at Plan have been working hard to address these issues and are empowering women and girls all over the world to overcome poverty.

In July 2012, Plan brings you the Asia Insight Tour – an inspired adventure like no other. Differing from our other trips, the Plan Asia Insight Tour has no challenging physical component. The trip has been exclusively designed to allow participants to engage with their experience on a deeper level and immerse themselves in the cultural and community development aspects of the trip. This is a very unique opportunity to go behind the scenes and off the tourist trail to see firsthand how Plan helps communities address gender inequality facing young girls and women.

The Asia Insight Tour follows on the success of the Plan Trek Nepal. In May 2011, 13 people trekked the Himalayas to raise over $53,000 for Plan. Inspired Adventures and Plan have teamed up again in 2012 to offer you a rare adventure that will take you right down to the grassroots level where Plan does its most important work. You will be taken to Southeast Asia’s most and least visited areas and your heart and mind will work overtime when you talk directly with community project participants as you acquaint yourself with Plan’s projects.

The Asia Insight Tour encapsulates everything that you could ask for in a unique travel experience – a rare insight into communities and the impact of grassroots projects implemented by one of the oldest and largest children’s development organisations in the world.

Inspired Adventures fully supports Plan’s commitment to investing in girls in order to break the poverty cycle and we are excited to be able to offer this tour with a difference in 2012.

As a Mum to a beautiful 3-year-old girl, with many exciting opportunities ahead of her, it is unbelievable that many girls around the world are so suppressed and have very little opportunity available to them to have a good life. Many of us naturally take education, healthcare and the support of a loving family for granted.

Our ability to make a difference to these girls’ lives starts with knowledge and insight. That is, getting a clear understanding about the problems that they face and how we can effect change.

Justine

♀ More information on Plan’s campaign to fight gender inequality

♀ Find out more about the Plan Asia Insight Tour

♀ Read more from Justine’s Corner

 

Plan: Breaking the poverty cycle by investing in young girls and women.