paul allen

Hello - I'm raising funds for Amnesty International by participating in the Hike the Himalayas 2016 event, from the 15th March next year!

I'm really excited about this - having required emergency surgery and medical care myself for a prolonged period after my skull was crushed in 1994 after an automotive accident. I've written an autobiographical account, 'My Life as a Fish', of not only the coma but also the prolonged recovery and rehabilitation experience. I believe it is an invaluable insight that can help many others who find themselves, a family member or friend thrust into a similarly horrific situation, and have no idea what to do or what to expect.

Because of my accident my life dramatically changed and I've had to also rely on the goodwill of others. i am fortunate enough to live in Australia, in a society where we can assume there will be medical and emergency care.

This is my opportunity to make a real difference for the welfare of those less fortunate than many of us. That way I feel I can in part repay for the effort over many years that my own friends have given to help me!

My goal with Pozible is to raise $1000 towards the Million Dollar Australian Charity Challenge. All funds that i will raise will be going towards Amnesty International. I intend to raise more than $1000 and my personal fundraising target for this adventure is $4100.

My fundraising approach will be to Hike the Himalayas with 20 or more other participants for Amnesty International. 

I am starting a 'Pozible' crowd-funding event where I am offering the chance to be a part in helping Amnesty fight for those less fortunate. , and be part of my exciting journey:

Donate $5 be thanked on my website!
Donate $20 to receive a Himalayan postcard;
Donate $50 to receive an autographed copy of the autobiographical book 'My Life as a Fish';
Donate $100 to receive an autographed copy of the autobiographical book 'My Life as a Fish' plus a Tibetan Prayer Flag;
Donate $400 to receive a unique Tasmanian-made Mantis Coffee Table (limit of 3 tables)!
Donate $3000 to receive a unique Tasmanian-made Preying Mantis Coffee/Dining Table (1 ONLY)


Funds raised from this adventure will:

- DEFEND INDIVIDUALS AT RISK
Right now, thousands of individuals around the world are at risk of, or are experiencing, human rights violations. these people face discrimination, violence, imprisonment and even death. 

Thanks to the pressure on the Iranian Government from Amnesty's supporters, in September 2013 prominent human rights lawyer Nasrin Sotoudeh was released from an Iranian prison and reunited with her family. With your help, Amnesty can continue to pressure the Iranian government to ensure she remains free.

Nasrin is just one person for whom Amnesty has worked tirelessly, as a global movement, to free. This is what Amnesty International is known for. It 's how Amnesty began and will continue to ensure they speak out for anyone whose rights are being denied in any part of the world.

- PROTECT INDIGENOUS RIGHTS
Amnesty International is shining a light on he over-representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people in the criminal justice system of Australia.

Despite Indigenous people making up less than ex percent of Australians aged 10 - 17, Indigenous youth account for more than half of all young people in detention and are 25 times more likely to be detained than other Australians.

The situation is worse in Western Australia where Indigenous young people are 58 times more likely to be in detention.

But we can do something about it.

With your help, in 2015 Amnesty International will campaign to end the over-representation of Indigenous youth in Australia's detention system. Together we will hold the Australian Governments to account and end the vicious cycle that is seeing a generation of young Australians lost to jail.

- ASSIST COUNTRIES IN CRISIS
crisis response in central to Amnesty's work. When Amnesty learns about a crisis unfolding, like in the Central African Republic, the dispatch their researchers into the field to find out exactly what's happening. When they report back, an unstoppable chain of life-saving events is set in motion.

Your support ensures that Amnesty can respond immediately to human rights crises as they occur. Amnesty monitor potential crisis situations and ensure that their staff, supporters and the wider community are informed, engaged and ready to act.

Amnesty's Crisis Team:
    - Get the word out to the media and supporter in Australia and around the world
    - Activates thousands of people to put strategic pressure on those in power
    - Helps supporters organise rallies and protests to shed light on the atrocities being committed
    - Meets with members of parliament to urge them to use their diplomatic powers

-PROMOTE EQUALITY FOR REFUGEES
Millions of people around the world have no choice but to flee their homeland to escape war, genocide, torture and persecution. Right now, thousands of innocent people are imprisoned in Australia or held arbitrarily in offshore detention centres. This can last for years without an end in sight. With your help, we can investigate human rights abuses against refugees and asylum seekers, and advocate for change on their behalf.

-END TORTURE
For over 50 years, Amnesty has exposed governments who torture, and supported torture survivors in gaining  justice. 

These decades of campaigning have already brought huge achievements, however torture remains rife because governments are ignoring the laws and commitments they have made. 

With your support, Amnesty International will continue to hold to account those governments still torturing, and demand an end to this inhumane practice. 

- EXTEND AMNESTY'S GLOBAL REACH
By supporting Amnesty International Australia, you are helping to support the Amnesty movement as a whole. thanks to your support, Amnesty's new offices in India, Brazil, Ghana and South Africa continue to grow and have had a significant impact on human rights.

In India, Amnesty International now employs over 50 full-time staff members and in the last two years, more than 2.5 million Indians have taken action to defend human rights around the world. this inspirational progress ca be directly attributed to the continued efforts of Amnesty's supporters, people just like you.

IT IS ONLY WITH THE ONGOING SUPPORT OF PEOPLE LIKE YOU THAT AMNESTY CAN CONTINUE TO DEFEND HUMAN RIGHTS GLOBALLY. THANK YOU.

Trip Outlook

Day 1: The trip begins on 15 March 2016, departing Sydney destination Delhi!
Day 2: Old Delhi 1/2-day tour - Pathankot
Day 3: Dharamsala
Day 4: Tibetan childrens' village
Day 5: Trek begins! Leaving Dharamsala for Kareri Village (2070m)
Day 6: Kareri Village - Bal Village (2080m)
Day 7: Bal Village - Triund (2,985m)
Day 8: Triund - Lake Got (3500m)
Day 9: Triund - Dharamsala (2080 m)
Day 10: Norbulingka Institute, Delhi
Day 11: Depart Delhi
Day 12: Arrive in Australia