Three members of the Vida Healthcare team are preparing to trek across the Sahara Desert to raise money for Saint Michael’s Hospice.
James, Bernadette and Clare will take part in the charity’s six-day Sahara Trek from Tuesday 27th October until Sunday 1st November.
They will join supporters of Saint Michael’s Hospice and Herriot Hospice for the challenge, which begins in Morocco’s High Atlas Mountains.
The group will spend four days trekking across desert landscapes and the Chigaga Dunes before sleeping under the stars.
The Vida Healthcare colleagues said they each have personal reasons for taking part.
They said:
“For Bernadette, it is particularly personal after a friend passed away at Saint Michael’s last year, with their family speaking so highly of the comfort and care they received.
“For all of us, we have a real appreciation of the important role the hospice plays in our local community, and its values of kindness and empathy fit closely with what we believe in at Vida Healthcare.
“We’re excited to take on the challenge together, even though trekking across the Sahara will certainly push us outside our comfort zones.
“Most of all, we hope that by taking part we can raise vital funds for Saint Michael’s and show what can be achieved when people come together to support such an important cause.”
Gemma Umpleby, Director of Strategy and Development at Saint Michael’s Hospice, will also take part.
She said:
“It’s certainly going to be a challenge, but knowing that every step is helping raise vital funds for our hospice makes it all worthwhile.
“Most of all, I’m proud to be taking on this challenge for our charity which makes such a difference to local people and their families.”
Saint Michael’s provides specialist care and support for people affected by terminal illness, as well as their families and loved ones.
Its services are free at the point of need and rely heavily on donations from the local community.
The Vida Healthcare team can be supported through the Saint Michael’s Hospice Sahara Trek 2026 JustGiving page.
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