More than £101,000 has been raised by Stars Appeal supporters who completed a six day trek across the Jordan desert in scorching temperatures. 

A group of 35 people took part in the trek to Petra which set off on April 23. 

Stars Appeal volunteer trek coordinator, Jo Maslen said: “We’ve never had so many donations after a trek before. We know a lot of family and friends wanted to show their admiration for the trekkers’ achievements after they heard how the trekkers supported each other to overcome the tough conditions.”

Those tough conditions included trekking 106km over six days, and climbing three mountains, in temperatures of up to 40C.

The grand fundraising total was revealed during a special celebration in Salisbury Cathedral Cloisters this week.

Trekkers Colin Ford and Lynne Rose, who raised more than £6,000 each, presented the giant cheque to Lord Pembroke, President of the Stars Appeal.

He was accompanied by Stars Appeal ambassadors, representing some of the many areas of Salisbury Hospital which the Stars Appeal helps.

In his vote of thanks, Lord Pembroke praised the trekkers' astounding achievement, not only in tackling the trek, but also for raising much-needed funds at such a challenging time for NHS staff and services.

Dave Cates, the head of fundraising for the Stars Appeal, along with Dr Pearson and Mr Dennis, explained how funds raised for the charity make a difference in the hospital, from providing the latest treatment and diagnostic equipment to improving and creating new buildings and offering support to patients, families and staff.

The funds raised through the Petra Trek add to money raised from previous Stars Appeal treks to the Grand Canyon, Machu Picchu in Peru, and the Great Wall of China, to give a four-trek total of more than £400,000.

The charity is already planning its next fundraising adventure. The April 2024 trek will head to the Caribbean coast of Colombia to Trek to the Lost City.

An information evening about the trek will be held in September. For more information visit the charity's website

 

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