Some challenges leave you changed forever. For Dr Sue West Jones and her daughter Hermione Vaikunthanathan-Jones, the Mardi Himal Base Camp Trek in Nepal was one of those life-defining experiences.
After days of steep climbs, sleepless nights, and thin Himalayan air, this incredible mother-and-daughter team reached the top, 4,500 metres above sea level, and carried the heart of Swansea with them every step of the way. 🏔️
Sue, an Emergency Department Consultant at Morriston Hospital, is no stranger to tough challenges. In 2023, she completed the Wadi Rum Desert Trek in Jordan for Faith in Families, raising vital funds to help children and families living in poverty. This time, she took on the Himalayas, joined by her daughter Hermione, making the journey even more meaningful.
“Hermione stormed the trek and was such a positive, engaging team member,” Sue said after the climb. “I’m incredibly proud of her — and honestly, really chuffed with my own achievement too!”
For Hermione, aged 18 and newly graduated from UWC Atlantic College, this trek was both a dream adventure and a powerful act of compassion.
“Doing this alongside my mum, my hero in life has been incredible,” Hermione shared. “I’ve always wanted to travel to Nepal, and knowing we’ve done it while raising money for children and families in Swansea makes it truly special.”
Together, Sue and Hermione have raised over £4,500 for Faith in Families, a Swansea-based charity transforming lives through compassion and connection.
- £10 can fill a family’s fridge with fresh produce, giving children a week of proper meals.
- £20 can put new shoes on a child’s feet, helping them walk into school with pride.
- £30 can help a parent heat their home for the first time in weeks.
- £50 can buy toys and sensory play materials that make therapy feel like magic for children who are learning to cope with big emotions.
- £70 can fund a childcare session that gives a parent the chance to learn new skills and rebuild their confidence.
- £10 can give a child their own journal, a safe space to write, draw, and process their emotions.
- £50 funds a 1-to-1 session with a qualified practitioner, helping a child find their voice, build trust, and heal from trauma.
Faith in Families runs Community Cwtches across Swansea, warm, safe spaces where children can laugh, play, and feel cared for. They also run Cwtch Mawr Multibank, which provides essential items to families who would otherwise go without. Projects like Brighter Futures give young people the tools and confidence to build the kind of lives they deserve and Inspiring Futures builds confidence in adults through training and support.
Sue and Hermione’s trek shows that when love and purpose meet, even the highest mountains can be climbed.
You Can Still Donate To Sue and Hermione Pages
👉 Support Sue’s fundraising here: Sues Charity Climb | Localgiving
👉 Support Hermione’s fundraising here: Hermione’s Himalayan Trek Challenge | Localgiving
