Grieving father joins hospice workers on Himalayan trek to raise funds for children's hospice
The group will raise money for Naomi and Jack’s
A grieving father is joining a group of hospice workers on a trek through the Himalaya mountains in India to raise funds for the local children and young adult’s hospice, Naomi and Jack’s.
Derrick Steele’s son, Joshua, was cared for by the hospice until his death, just before his fifth birthday.
"Joshua was cared for at Naomi House until his passing,” Derrick, from Basingstoke, said. “There were also sibling days for our daughter Hollie, where she could spend time with families in similar situations.”
“I hadn't fundraised for a few years and was looking at what events were coming up when I saw the Himalayan Trek. It's something I'd never considered doing before, but the support I've had since signing up has been incredible,” he said.
He will be undertaking the four-day trek alongside other people with connections to Naomi and Jack’s, a Hampshire-wide hospice charity for Hampshire that provides expert care for more than 600 seriously ill children, young adults and their families.
Sophie O’Toole, from Chandler’s Ford, is an Advanced Nurse Practitioner at Naomi and Jack’s and signed up for the journey as a personal fundraising challenge. To train for the trek, she has had to go beyond her usual fitness activities, including strength training, as she prepares for several days of walking at altitudes of up to 2,875 metres.
“Working at the hospice means I see first-hand what our services mean to children, young adults and their families,” she said. “I wanted to do something that was genuinely challenging for me and that would hopefully raise both money and awareness for the hospice.”
“When you're asking other people to sponsor you, I think it should be for something that really does push you, and trekking up a mountain in the Himalayas certainly feels like it qualifies.
“I want to challenge myself and experience something completely different from everyday life. The opportunity to trek in the Himalayas and experience India is something I feel incredibly lucky to have.”
Derrick and Sophie will also be joined by Nicky Smallwood, from Whitchurch, who served as the hospice chaplain for almost five years. In preparation for the challenge, she has been building her fitness through regular training walks and gym sessions in preparation for walking six to eight hours a day throughout the challenge.
“I remember arriving back from annual leave last summer and reading an email from the fundraising team about the Himalayan adventure. I read it and felt immediately that I wanted to join the trek,” she said.
“Through my role at the hospice, I've met the most wonderful and inspiring children, young adults and families. It's every one of these awesome people who are motivating me to embrace the challenge and aim high with my fundraising target.
“I'm really looking forward to experiencing a new culture, walking in the mountains, enjoying the local food and meeting new people. It will be great to share the experience with others who are equally passionate about raising awareness and much-needed funds for paediatric hospice care,” Nicky said.
The Naomi and Jack’s team will join fundraisers from Acorn’s Children’s Hospice, Children’s Hospice South West, Helen and Douglas House and Shooting Star Children’s Hospice, united by a shared commitment to raising vital funds for children and families who rely on hospice care.
Event Team Lead, Charlotte Patrick, who organised the challenge on behalf of Naomi and Jack’s and who will be joining the team in India, said: “Derrick, Sophie and Nicky each have a very different connection to Naomi and Jack's, which makes this challenge so special.
“Whether through their work with families or their own personal experiences of the hospices, they understand first-hand the difference that fundraising can make. We're hugely grateful for their support and are looking forward to taking on the Himalayan Trek together next month."
Those wishing to support the trekkers and help raise vital funds for Naomi and Jack’s can donate via the event fundraising page: justgiving.com/campaign/nhjptrek2026