Sheffield Medic treks peaks blindfolded

Medic goes the extra mile and climbs peaks for charity- blindfolded.


Think slogging it up Conduit was hard enough? Medic, Stephen Lau, has taken fundraising efforts one step further through a 10km walk in the Peaks, blindfolded.

The route took Stephen through some of rockiest and muddiest parts of the peaks and included several challenges, including taking a selfie and salsa dancing to name a few.

Stephen, 22, was inspired after a recent trip to Nepal

Stephen decided on this unique fundraising idea after volunteering at an eye hospital in Nepal, where he felt “inspired” by the whole experience.

“Everybody was extremely supportive”, he explains. “My parents included, though I’m sure they were suppressing a bit of worry. I think it helped that I told them I would have a few guides with me on the day to prevent me from tripping.”

At the beginning, Stephen admits: “I was personally just imagining a simple trek up Fulwood and then back, but the person who planned the trek route made sure it was a real challenge”. (As if being blindfolded wasn’t challenging enough?!)

Not quite the blind date Stephen had in mind….

“Being blindfolded also heightened all my other senses. When we stopped to eat, I wasn’t sure what I was eating beforehand and I distinctly remember being incredibly satisfied by an croissant filled with egg salad.”

Stephen completed the trek on Saturday, during which he was blindfolded for over 8 hours.

“It went extremely well – better than I could have hoped. It was a fun day and a great learning experience for everyone. The weather cooperated, my friends and guides were extremely supportive and we all had a good laugh.”

“A good laugh”: Stephen and friends looking bright-eyed after the challenging trek

He has also exceeded his initial fundraising target, raising over £1,200 for the Himalayan Cataract Project.

Stephen has no more fundraising plans (as of yet) as he knuckles down for his final year at of medicine.

Want to keep your eyes peeled for Stephen’s fundraising campaign? Visit here.