Jonathan fulfils Egyptian dream

1:16pm Monday 12th May 2008

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PHAROAHS, pyramids and temples were waiting along the banks of the River Nile for one Stockton Heath resident.

It has always been the dream of 36-year-old Jonathan Pritchard to go to Egypt and with the help of Mencap he has finally realised it.

"He has studied all aspects of ancient Egypt for many years and watches every documentary and TV programme about Egypt, the pharaohs and the pyramids that is screened," said Mencap's Nikki Cotter.

Part of Mencap's therapy involves creating a person-centred plan, which includes everything from a list of things to do every day, like brushing your teeth, to putting on paper your biggest hopes and dreams.

Two years ago Jonathan, who has Downs Syndrome, said he would like to start putting aside money for a trip to Egypt.

With Mencap's help he researched the best way to go about it and decided that a cruise down the River Nile would let him see as much as possible.

Last month, he and two Mencap workers, Nikki Cotter, the fundraising co-ordinator, and Gill Stewart, the manager, made the trip to Egypt and sailed down the Nile.

The trio saw pyramids, temples and tombs as well as traditional dancing and botanic gardens on their trip of a lifetime.

The Valley of the Kings, where Tutankhamun's tomb is, was among the famous places they visited, along with the mortuary Temple of Queen Hatshepsut which is unique as it is built into the mountainside.

Now Jonathan, who lives in a Mencap shared house in Fairfield Road, Stockton Heath, with two friends, wants to start saving again to go to Giza to see the sphinx and pyramids.

"He has definitely caught the travelling bug," said Nikki.