Sussex trekkers return from the Sahara desert and raise £136,000 for St Catherine's Hospice

45 supporters of the St Catherine’s Hospice trekked across the Sahara to raise money for local terminally ill people and help towards the building of a new hospice at Pease Pottage.

Fundraising Manager at St Catherine’s Michaela Clements was with the trekkers in the Sahara.

Michaela said: “We’re so grateful to our amazing trekkers for signing up to trek across the largest hot desert in the world.

"Their efforts will make a big difference to local terminally ill people, their families and will allow our hospice to help more people in the future.

“At the moment, we can only care for one in three people who need us. It’s vital that we keep raising money so we can care for everyone. I can’t wait to conquer the Sahara with this amazing group.”

The trekkers were split into two groups of 23 and 22 and spent four days each trekking across ancient dried-up riverbeds and vast sun-baked plains. The trekkers spent the night sleeping under the stars.

The bespoke trek is the third overseas adventure that St Catherine’s has hosted, and the local charity is hoping to raise £135,000 through the challenge.

Fundraiser Lucy Pitts from Broadbridge Heath, said: “Over the years St Catherine’s has always been on my radar. I remember fundraising for it as a child and since then, I’ve known several people who’ve spent their last few weeks there. "

Lucy will be taking on the challenge with her 16-year-old daughter Greta.

Lucy adds: "I usually do at least one big fundraising event a year and when I heard about the trek I thought it sounded fabulous. Then my daughter said she wanted to sign up too. She was only 13 when we signed up and I had some reservations, but she’s done so well with her fundraising and training.

“It’s going to be an amazing experience for her. It’ll be her first trip outside of Europe and I can’t think of a better way to give her a rounded education.

"I’m looking forward to most of the trip - sleeping in the desert, pushing myself, meeting new people and visiting Morocco. It’s going to be special watching my daughter experience all those things too.

"Sometimes it’s hard to equate that what me, Greta and our fellow trekkers are doing will have a direct impact on other people.

“We all know someone with cancer or another life-limiting illness and we’ve all experienced that helpless feeling of being unable to help. But, by doing something like this, we cant.”

See more: West Sussex woman plans to trek across the Sahara desert in aid of St Catherine’s Hospice, Crawley Sea and Royal Marine Cadets prepare for 65th birthday celebrations with ‘Colour Parade’

You can donate to St Catherine’s Hospice here:https://www.stch.org.uk/donate/