A MOTHER and daughter are packing their provisions ahead of a treacherous hike across the Sahara for charity.

Lucy Pitts and her 16-year-old daughter Greta from Horsham will be among 45 intrepid supporters of St Catherine’s Hospice in Crawley to raise money for terminally ill people and help fund the construction of a new and larger hospice at Pease Pottage.

Lucy said: “Over the years St Catherine’s has always been on my radar. I remember fundraising for it as a child and since then, I’ve known several people who’ve spent their last few weeks there.

“I usually do at least one big fundraising event a year and when I heard about the trek I thought it sounded fabulous. Then my daughter said she wanted to sign up too.

“She was only 13 when we signed up and I had some reservations, but she’s done so well with her fundraising and training.

“I’m looking forward to most of the trip - sleeping in the desert, pushing myself, meeting new people and visiting Morocco.”

The Argus: Lucy and Greta will be among 45 people to raise money to fund the construction of a new and larger hospice in Pease PottageLucy and Greta will be among 45 people to raise money to fund the construction of a new and larger hospice in Pease Pottage

The trek is the third overseas adventure that St Catherine’s has hosted, and the local charity is hoping to raise £135,000 through the incredible challenge.

The campaign has already raised more than 90 per cent of its target.

Michaela Clements, fundraising manager at St Catherine’s, will be joining the trekkers in the Sahara.

She said: “We’re so grateful to our amazing trekkers for signing up to trek across the largest hot desert in the world.

“Their efforts will make a big difference to local terminally ill people and their families and will allow our hospice to help more people in the future.

“At the moment, we can only care for one in three people who need us. It’s vital that we keep raising money so we can care for everyone.

“I can’t wait to conquer the Sahara with this amazing group.”

People can support the Sahara trekkers’ fundraising campaign by donating to their JustGiving page at https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/stchsahara2020.

St Catherine’s Hospice provides end of life care and support to terminally ill people and their families across Crawley, Horsham, East Surrey and Mid Sussex.