In July 2009 Sandbaggers will function as expedition organisers for Accord Hospice, Scotland as a group of their staff and supporters take on the Mongolian Gobi.  The expedition will feature a twelve day visit to Mongolia including a 6 day period spent trekking across the ice gorges, mountains and sand dunes of the Gobi Desert.  Following this the group will spend some time on community work in the settlements of the Gobi building gers (traditional felt and wood dwellings) for disadvantaged locals in support of the charity Yamma Trust. 

The group will be led by Sandbaggers support staff who will be giving up their time on the run up to Gobi Challenge 2009 to support this worthwhile effort. 

The expedition will run from 23rd July to 2nd August 2009 and, being a guided walking event, is suitable for all abilities.  If you are interested in visiting Mongolia and embarking on a true adventure in aid of very worthwhile causes please contact Ken Mathie on kenneth.mathie@accord.org.uk.  Alternatively drop the Sandbaggers team an email at Accord09@sand-baggers.com and we’ll get things moving.

Sandbaggers is committed to helping the people of South gobi province in whatever way they can. Over the years our medics have provided much needed treatment, medicines and medical supplies to the nomadic people whose homes and land we share when visiting the area.

We also provide much needed funding to disabled residents of the Gobi, amputees who are unable to work, orphans and the elderly to supply them with any equipment deemed essential for a maintained quality of life. Some pictures from our 2007 trip can be viewed below, courtesy of Mr Tumor, the co-ordinator of our fund distribution in the Gobi.

In 2007 our event dentist, Ken MacDonald, treated over 50 patients in hastily erected mobile surgeries (often no more than a wooden seat outside a ger!) set up along the route.  For this selfless and much needed service Ken was awarded the Sandbaggers medal of merit

We continue to maintain close ties with the UK registered charities highlighted below. If you are taking part in Gobi Challenge and are interested in supporting them they will be delighted to hear from you.