During the Covid-19 pandemic, St Wilfrid’s Hospice Chichester suffered a severe shortfall in donations when their fundraising events had to be put on hold (or cancelled completely) and their charity shops were forced to close during lockdown.

When I read about this at the time, I decided I wanted to support this fantastic local charity and do something to help give their fundraising a boost.

Scrolling through their socials, the opportunity to join a Sahara Trek caught my eye. It seemed like the perfect opportunity to experience the Sahara Desert first-hand, to take in the views and the changing colours at sunrise and sunset .. even the physical challenge of walking on sand somehow appealed to me! Plus, for a first-time trekker like me, the prospect of just four days actual walking suited me just fine.

So, I signed up. And in November 2023, I stepped out of my comfort zone and into the Sahara Desert!

It’s not called a challenge for nothing. It’s hot out there! And climbing the sand-dunes could prove taxing at times. But both were easily outweighed by the stunning surroundings, the wonderful camaraderie of the group, and the knowledge that I was helping to make a difference to local lives. Many people I walked with had their own reasons for doing the trek and it was inspiring to hear their stories.

The highlights for me? The delicious food, the wonderful Berbers who guided us with their extensive knowledge of the desert, finding an ancient seashell in the sand (parts of the Sahara were once submerged under sea), the stunning photo opportunities and a whistlestop tour of Marrakech before coming home. All treasured memories to last a lifetime. We even learnt a new phrase: “Yallah!” (“Let’s Go”, in Arabic).

Thanks to the generous donations of friends and family, my fundraising managed to hit a total of  £2,530.  It really meant a lot to be able to raise funds for our wonderful local Hospice. They do an amazing job; the staff and volunteers are truly exceptional, delivering expert, personalised care to patients and their loved-ones, 365 days a year.