WILTSHIRE Air Ambulance is challenging people to trek across the Sahara desert and raise money for the charity.
The eight day Sahara trek, from 10th to 18th October 2015, takes place in southern Morocco on some of the biggest dunes.
A good level of fitness is required as temperatures can reach 30 degrees Celsius. The aim is to cover 100 km and, on average, participants will be trekking for six to seven hours a day and camping at night. Camels will carry supplies and local guides will lead the way.
Eight people have signed up to do the trek so far, including Alex Moss and his partner Alex Thomsett of Trowbidge and Nicola Earle, a mother of two of Malmesbury. All are experienced walkers and have always wanted to walk in Morocco or the Sahara.
Rebecca de la Bedoyere, fundraising manager at Wiltshire Air Ambulance and who is planning to do the trek said, “We are truly excited to be offering an unforgettable 100 km trek across the Moroccan Sahara as part of our Silver Jubilee celebrations.
“We need 16 intrepid adventurers to join us for an eight day experience that will see us watching the sun rise over the dunes, camping under the stars at night, and taking in an incredible landscape that includes vast plateaus, dry river beds, bush land and towering dunes.
“With noble Berbers as our guides and camels to transport our gear, we will be averaging six to seven hours of trekking each day through stunning scenery, whilst raising critical funds to keep our life-saving service running.
“We’re hoping that our Sahara Trek will raise at least £16,000, which could pay for six or seven potentially life-saving missions.”
The event is limited to 16 people and costs £620, excluding flights (flights cost approximately £280 per person). In addition each person has to raise a minimum of £1,000 in sponsorship for the charity.
Entries close at the end of July.
The organisers, Adventurous Ewe, arranged treks to Mount Toubkal in Morocco in 2012 and 2013 for WAA, and were successful in raising funds.
For more information go to the charity website www.wiltshireairambulance.co.uk under ‘Get Involved’ and ‘Events.’ For a registration form email rebecca@wiltshireairambulance.co.uk
