Anne's Trek to Machu Picchu for DPJ

I'm raising money to trek the Inca trail to Machu Picchu in Peru for mental health charity The DPJ Foundation.

In 2016 I became painfully aware of the heavy load the farming community was carrying, mental health issues and suicides were on a sharp rise. In a bid to shine light on the issue and see who could help, I came across Emma who had just started the DPJ Foundation following the suicide of her husband Dan. I set up a mental health seminar at the Royal Welsh Show that very same year with FUW and not looked back in raising awareness of those often unsung heroes who are there when it all gets too much.

Since then, for almost 10 years, I have watched this amazing charity and the team that make it happen grow and grow from strength to strength. I have spoken to countless people over the years who told me the farming industry would fall over without the DPJ Foundation.

Poor mental health was always something that happened to other people.

Then in 2022 I fell down my own very dark hole. A combination of post natal depression and post-traumatic stress had me circling some dark realms.

In the darkest of moments and at absolute rock-bottom, a dear friend helped me get counselling through the DPJ Foundation. With their help I found my way back and when I said if we can save one life I'd consider it a triumph before, I never thought it would be my own this amazing organisation would end up saving. So to say I owe a debt of gratitude is an understatement.

I have experienced first hand the work the DPJ Foundation do, now heading towards their 10th anniversary - it's time to give back and then some.

I hope you can help me on my journey, that will no doubt push all of us on this trek to some limits - mental and physical.

With love and warmth,

Anne