Sahara trek team raises £106,000 for Derian House Children's Hospice before setting foot on desert sand

Fundraisers preparing for an epic trek across the Sahara desert this week have already raised more than £106,000 for a hospice before setting foot on the sand.

The team of 31 will arrive in Morocco on tomorrow morning before embarking on a 30-mile trek across the spectacular Chegaga Dunes over six days.

And they’ve already raised a staggering six figure sum for Derian House Children’s Hospice.

This will be the Chorley-based hospice’s first-ever overseas fundraising challenge, with participants facing challenging terrain, long days walking beneath the desert sun and temperatures that could soar to around 40°C before dropping dramatically at night.

The adventurers will spend six days navigating vast stretches of desert, with camels carrying their kit and supplies.

They'll sleep in tents beneath a canopy of stars and wake to spectacular sunrises over the dunes before continuing their journey.

For bereaved dad Nathan Hearn, who has helped to raise £9,847 himself, the challenge will mark 10 years since he said goodbye to his baby daughter, Charlotte, who spent her final days at the hospice.

“Now it’s so close, it’s feeling very real,” said Nathan, 52, of Claughton-on-Brock, near Garstang.

“I can’t wait to experience the dunes, dark skies, sunrises and sunsets. I’m excited to get stuck in, learn about the place, its people, food, and culture. I’ve done a good job at ignoring the fact that I might meet a range of spiders and scorpions, so the less said about that the better!

“Raising over £100,000 so far is amazing. And each and every one of us has raised awareness of the amazing work of Derian house, as well as its staff, volunteers, families and carers. We’ve all been planning, fundraising and preparing for nearly 12 months.

“I’m looking forward to getting together with everyone in Morocco to take our first steps into the Sahara together. No challenge or hardship we might face can beat the motivation that drives us all.

“My daughter, Charlotte was born in 2017 with half a working heart,” continued Nathan.

“When it became clear that surgery wasn't possible for Charlotte, we chose to spend the last days of her short life at Derian House.

“I miss Charlotte every day, imagining how a life lost might have been lived.

“The true impact of what Derian House do every day is immeasurable - they know what you need before you do. We stopped thinking about dying, because they got us busy living.

“The journey leading up to the Sahara Desert trek has been amazing, and the response to my fundraising humbling. I’m so grateful to everyone who’s donated, supported me in all sorts of ways, and for those who have asked about Charlotte, and shared their own stories.”

Meanwhile, a dad with a dislike for sand is also taking part to raise money for the hospice that looks after his son.

Andrew Privett, from Leyland said: “Andrew’s 12-year-old son Jacob is supported by Derian House.

He said: “Jacob is an amazing little boy with such strength, resilience and he amazes me every single day, and this is a great opportunity for me to do something for the hospice that cares for my whole family.

“I love travelling and I can’t wait to see Morocco, I’m looking forward to the adventure.

“I’m expecting big spiders and bugs, but I backpacked around Australia for a year so I’m used to them.

“However, amazingly, I’m not a great fan of sand! So, I guess the Sahara should be one of the last places I want to go. But I’ve been up and down Lytham’s sand dunes during summer so I can get some practice walking on sand.

“With all the hot weather we’ve had, I’m hoping I’ll be ready for the desert temperatures. I try to keep fit and healthy in general. I run a lot, and walk my dog a lot.”

Andy has been busy fundraising in the run-up to the challenge, and has so far raised £3,907. In his latest effort he walked 20km on a treadmill at FoxFest, held at Fox Lane Sports Club in Leyland, to boost donations.

“Derian House is a lifeline to our family, offering overnight stays for Jacob, giving us a chance to rest as parents,” said Andy.

“Derian also offers amazing facilities, counselling for our family, and support for Jacob’s brother too. And we’re not alone, the hospice cares for hundreds of other families too.

“But they need to raise £6million each year, and so taking part in the Sahara Trek is my way of giving back.

“As a busy dad, this will also be an amazing adventure for me. Walking across the desert is not going to be easy, but I’d do anything for our son Jacob, and to make sure Derian House can continue their amazing work for families who need it.”

Kerry Salmon, Community Fundraiser at Derian House Children’s Hospice, said: “Families, colleagues and supporters of Derian House will be trekking across the Sahara Desert in our very first overseas challenge.

“I’m sure there’ll be plenty of tired legs and sandy shoes along the way! But knowing that every step will help raise money for the children and families we care for will keep us going. Care is free to families at Derian House, but it will cost £6million to run the hospice this year, and so we rely on our kind-hearted supporters to raise 70p in every £1.”

Derian House Children’s Hospice supports more than 400 babies, children and young people, along with their families, from across the North West.