Sahara trekkers raise £45k for Blythe House

A team of intrepid adventurers have raised more than £45,000 for a High Peak hospice after completing a three-day trek through the Sahara Desert.

Based in Chapel-en-le-Frith, Blythe House will benefit from the funds following the journey by 24 volunteers through the desert's northeastern corner in Morocco. 

Starting from the town of Ouarzazate – known as the Door of the Desert and where movies such as Lawrence of Arabia, Gladiator and Salmon Fishing in the Yemen were filmed - they were accompanied by Berber guides, cooks and a gang of camels to carry camping essentials. 

The group hiked up to 20km per day in temperatures that reached as high as 35oC, through terrain described as being like a “lunar landscape” by organisers. 

Beccy Elliott took part in memory of her gran Wendy, saying: "I’ve laughed until I had a tummy ache, cried every single day, made 23 new best friends whom with I’ll share the most magical memories with forever, seen shooting stars, slept under them on African dunes every night, saw the ISS in light pollution free African skies, trekked the Moroccan Sahara for the most wonderful charity and been part of an amazing group of people."

Fellow trekker, Cam Wallace echoes Beccy's thoughts: "The best trip of my life thanks to the lovely people who made it so special and ultimately raised so much money for a good cause.

"So sad it is over and I won’t be waking up in a sand covered sleeping bag again but we had a blast."

A total of £45,515 will go towards the hospice’s Roaming Car service, which helps patients when they need urgent overnight support. 

“‘This has been an absolutely amazing experience for everyone involved," said Rachael Gee, Blythe House's fundraising and events co-ordinator.

"It was truly life-affirming to witness the determination, teamwork, and spirit of our participants as they conquered one of the world’s most unforgiving landscapes.

"The funds raised will make a real difference to our hospice services, and we are so grateful to each and every one of them."

Applications are already open for the next year's expedition, which will take place between March 12-17, 2026.