Trekking to Everest for The Little Optimist Trust

On the 19th of February 2026 Joanne Seymour will be embarking on a 140km (14 day trek) circular route from Lukla up to Everest Base Camp tackling freezing temperatures and steep icy slopes of the Cho La Pass (5420m) to the turquoise waters of the Gokyo Lakes back to Lukla. It is a test of endurance and grit. While I tackle these mountains, I am raising funds for the Little Optimist Trust. I am completely self-funding my trek so every Rand raised through this page goes directly to the Little Optimist Trust, a charity dedicated to healing and empowering disadvantaged and marginalised children from backgrounds of poverty and abuse. The Little Optimist Trust is a registered South African NPO and PBO so you would be able to claim Section 18A Tax Benefits through your donations. 

I became involved with the Little Optimist Trust in June 2025 when I visited the Charity and was blown away by the incredible work that they do. The Little Optimist Trust uses “sailing therapy” to change lives. They take children who have faced immense trauma and introduce them to the ocean and help...