Emily Hayes, who works for Tonkin Products, a food supplier based in the Food Exchange, is hiking 2,663 miles on the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT), from Mexico to Canada, on her own, with everything she needs to survive carried on her back.

She took a sabbatical and began the five-month hike in March. She aims to complete the PCT for charity KOTO (Know One, Teach One). The trip is self-funded, so 100% of donations will go straight to her chosen charity.

Emily is a keen hiker and as well as raising money for a great cause, wants to inspire and give people confidence to get outdoors by sharing her experience.

Emily has been planning this trip for the last two years after the March 2020 lockdown inspired her to fully commit to the project, She plans to walk on average 20 miles a day and needs to eat around 4,000 calories to maintain her energy levels whilst carrying a 15kg backpack. Emily will be under pressure to source water whilst hiking across the Southern Californian dessert and snowy conditions are a real concern when hiking the Sierra Mountain range - not to mention wild animals.

KOTO is a foundation in Vietnam that empowers at-risk and disadvantaged youth to pursue a life of dignity by providing training, life skills and opportunity through its hospitality training programs. Emily has spent a lot of time working and living in Vietnam as part of her career in the food industry, so this cause is close to her heart. If you’d like to donate, go to https://www.gofundme.com/f/Emily-hikes-PCT - every penny is sent straight to KOTO through the Global Giving platform.