Louise Keogh - China 2007

I was going on my own so I was very nervous and scared but the group clicked so well together we were like a second family by the second day - fantastic experience. 

Donal Douglas - Himalaya 2007

Every Irish person should undertake this challenge.  The benefits they will receive will far outweigh any discomfort they experience.  

Derek Cunnion - Peru 2007

I would recommend anyone to do a Concern Challenge.  Truly a once in a lifetime experience.  The organisational skills of Concern/ATD are second to none.  I will definitely be doing another trip with them soon. 

Elaine McGuinness - Himalaya 2007

The Himalayan expereince will stay with me forever, because of the camaraderie, scenery, interactions with everybody involved and all the laugher.  Never laughed so much in my life!  Everybody holds a special place in my heart and I look forward to the reunion! 

Tomas Conefrey - China 2007

The trip was beyond all my expectations.  I wanted to challenge myself and I think I rose to the challenge in completing the trek.  It made me appreciate all I have when I saw what the people in rural China have as facilities.  I would go again tomorrow.

Margaret Bennett - Peru 2007

Doing Concern's challenge to Peru was one of the most amazing experiences of my life.  The whole event was so well organised and everyboday so warm and welcoming that I really would recommend doing something like this to everyone. 

Eugene Doyle - China 2007

This was one of the best trip's I have gone on.  We say much more than an ordinary touriest would see and got to meet the local people of China.  We had good fun but always felt safe and were well looked after.  The trek was good for me, everyone says I look so well and happy on my return!  Keep up the good work, more people should do this type of trek.

Mick Moran - Peru 2007

These trips usually take you a year to finally put your name down!  But the fundraising, the travel, the trekking, the camping, the challenge overall puts you against yourself and when you come out the other end, you'll feel like one of the best experiences of your life.  Proud, happy and confident, as well as perhaps a change of perspective in your life.

Violet McGowan - China 2007

I can't say it was the best holiday I've had because it wasn't meant to be a holiday but I can say it was the best journey of my life.  The first time I saw The Great Wall I knew this was where I've wanted to be as long as I can remember.  I am grateful to Concern to have made this journey to China becuase without them it would not be possible.

Thomas Keyes - China 2006

Well what can I say...When I was aked by a good friend of mine to take up the challenge of walking part of the Great Wall for Concern - Did I think it was gonna be one of the best things I've done in my life and hopefully not the last?  If you want to experience a world that is as througly magical as it's people and will give you a taste of what this world is really about...From sleeping under the stars...to sitting by the camp fire with some of the most amazing people I've ever met...What a time...What a place... Something I can only take with me now from this world to the next...Thank you for the memories...God, how lucky am I...

Darren Grant - China 2006

The term "life changing" is used so often to describe major challenges we put ourselves through, but after experiencing the China Trek first-hand I finally understand what it means.  Nothing can compare to rising from camp sites, trekking across unspoilt lands & meeting local rural children whom are leading a life you never knew still existed.  If you lead a hectic nine to five life, and have somewhere along the line forgotten what is truly important, this experience will humble and change you in ways you cannot imagine.  The Concern trek is by far the best thing I have done in my life.  The memories of the staff and fellow trekkers will stay with me for ever.  Thank you.

Niamh Cassidy - Peru 2006

I really wanted to visit Macchu Picchu and thought that raising money for charity and getting to do it was the  best way.  However, it turned out to be much more than that.  I had the most amazing time of my life.  Even without the breathtaking views, the fact that every placed we visited was steeped in culture and history, and the chills and sense of mystery felt while visiting the ruins; the people I met bought such expertise, humour, and human touchs to make it a trip of a lifetime.  The companion and friendships formed between the forty odd challengers most of whom were strangers was incredible.  I never thought I could miss people so much on return that I never even knew existed two weeks previous!

Sarah Griffin - Peru 2006

The trek in Peru was one fo the most challenging things I've ever done - but there is nothing in life more rewarding than facing up to something that you thought you could never do and doing it anyway!  I had a fantastic time there, and saw things that no 'holiday' can show you:  meeting the local children, hiking remote areas, and seeing the real country.  Raising the money was only half the battle, but it was worth every second of it, and I would not hesitate in taking part over and over again!

Annelea Heffernan - Norway 2006

This is my 3rd trip with Concern.  the experience was amazing and still hard to beleive I have done it.  Its great to be able to raise money to help people and also gain a life changing experience aswell.  After the frist trip I said that was it as it was pretty hard to rasie the money.  But then again I ended up doing another, said the same thing no more.  And when I got the email about the artic, I was no no have done enough but ended up doing it.

Jim Dowling  - China 2004 and Norway 2006

What can I say about Concern treks which would be bad.  Nothing.  Good places to visit.  Good organization.  Good crack but challenging enough to stretch you.  Has become a must do thing every year.  Go to it people!

Patrick Dwyer - China 2005 and Peru 2006

Having taken part in 2 of Concerns challenges I must say it was part of the most fulfilling chapters in my life.  The people I met and the places I seen and the fact that it aids one of the worlds wortheist charities was especially rewarding.  To see some of themost mindblowing sites in the world and raise money for charity was a fantastic combination and an experience which will stay with me the rest of my life.

Carol Gough - Namibia 2003

My trip was mind blowing, definitley the best thing that i have ever done.  The feeling.....was fantastic.....evening meals experiencing foreign foods, evening drinks with sing songs around the camp fire...brilliant, brilliant, brilliant

Dennis Markey - Nepal 2003

Thanks to the hard work by Concern, the professionalism of Across the Dicvide and the genuine hospitality of the Nepalese people I had one of the best experiences of my life.

Jimmy O'Connor - Nepal 2002

The sights, the scenery, the porters, the cooks, the group, the food, the camps, the hotels, the flights, the trek, the trails, the weather.  Everything was amazing.  This is an experience that will live with me for the rest of my days.

Caroline Butler - Nepal 2002

I had a fantastic time and you left me with memories I will never forget