RAWALPINDI, July 1: A group of young British trekkers has contributed 55,000 pound sterlings for the education of the least privileged children of Pakistan after enjoying trekking in Nanga Parbat region.

The 28-member group participated in the Himalayan Challenge 2006 organised by The Citizens Foundation (TCF) of Pakistan which runs educational programmes for the children of slum areas.

Admittance to its schools is strictly non-discriminatory on ethnic, religious or any other basis. Female education and female employment are especially encouraged by the TCF’s exclusively female teaching staff.

The Himalayan Challenge was a fund-raising platform in which the participants raised money to help Friends of the Citizens Foundation (FTCF) in achieving their goals.

Each British trekker raised 2,500 pounds sterling or more for FTCF, which in return provided return flights, food, boarding and lodging and other logistic support.

It was the second trekking expedition organized by the UK- based Friends of the Citizens Foundation (FTCF). In the 2005 challenge on the Hindu Kush, 24 participants had raised 120,000 pound sterling to support TCF and its work with 249 schools all over Pakistan.

This year’s 11-day trekking expedition started on June 21, completed on 1 July.