The trek team reach Little Petra, on Day 4 of the challenge
Charity trekkers have completed a five-day hike through the Jordanian desert to raise funds for a city-based hospice.
A group of 16 fundraisers braved rocky desert terrain and thunder storms along ancient Bedouin migration paths to reach the world-famous archaeological site, and historic city, Petra.
In doing so the team of Worcestershire trekkers raised £48,975 for St Richard’s Hospice, after costs.
Sofia Gunster, Events and Community Fundraising Lead, was part of the group who flew to Jordan to take on the challenge for local hospice care: “It really was the most incredible experience, taking in some spectacular scenery. What made the trek even more special was the wonderful group of people making every gruelling step together for St Richard’s. Friends for life were made camping out under desert skies,” said Sofia.
“To raise such an incredible amount to help the hospice be here for patients and families is testament to scale of the challenge and the tenacity of our trekkers – we can’t thank them enough. They’re all hospice heroes!”
The challenge saw the team walking between six and eight hours a day, for five consecutive days from 17 March.
Among those taking on the challenge were three members of the hospice’s clinical teams: Julie Reece, Head of Community Nursing, Nicci Lane, In-patient Unit Staff Nurse, and Helen Gander, In-patient Unit Senior Staff Nurse.
In addition to the team of 16 in Jordan, a family of six walked 136 miles along the Pembrokeshire Coastal Path to support the challenge.
St Richard’s is planning a Trek the Alps trip for 2025 which will offer supporters the chance to hike through three countries in three days. An information evening about Trek the Alps will be held at the hospice on Tuesday 16 April between 6pm and 8pm. To register interest in attending please visit: https://www.strichards.org.uk/event/trek-the-alps-2/.
St Richard’s Hospice is an independent charity caring for adults with a serious progressive illness, improving their quality of life from diagnosis, during treatment to their last days and supporting those important to them.
Each year the hospice team supports more than 3,100 patients, family members and bereaved people in Worcestershire.
It costs £10.28m to run the hospice (22/23 audited accounts), which includes patient care and all the necessary support services.
St Richard’s relies on voluntary support, including from donations, gifts in Wills, retail and events for the majority of its income with the remainder funded by the NHS.
For more information about St Richard’s Hospice visit www.strichards.org.uk.
