Hike for hospice nets magnificent £40,000

TREK of a lifetime . . . hikers Janice Guest, from Greenfield, Judith Ireland, the Rev Revd David Ireland, from Dobcross, Dr Andy Taylor, from Grasscroft, and Howard and Jo Chambers, from Rochdale

TREKKERS have raised over £40,000 for Francis House Children’s Hospice with an eight-day hike through the mountains of Morocco.

The group of 22 - including several from Oldham - experienced intense heat in Marrakech and freezing, wet weather in the Atlas mountains during their difficult journey.

Francis House chief executive the Rev David Ireland - who is minister at Oldham’s Union Street United Reformed Church - was joined by his wife Judith on the trek. David, from Dobcross, said: “It was hard but interesting to live with the Berber people high in the mountain villages.

“They lived in real poverty but were very friendly. The scenery was stunning and we camped in tents or slept out under the stars.

“We walked with a trekking company that puts a proportion of the profits back into education projects.”

Trek organiser Howard Chambers of Saddleworth Runners and his wife Jo also took part, while Dr Andy Taylor, from Grasscroft, was medical officer.

David added: “It was a unique experience and we are so grateful to all the trekkers for their hard work and effort.”

Francis House, in Didsbury, cares for over 370 sick children, teenagers and young adults from around Greater Manchester. The hospice costs over £3.6 million a year to run.