Three intrepid colleagues from Queenscourt Hospice are braving the Wadi Rum Desert Trek Challenge this November to raise vital funds for the charity.
Doctor Shorna Warren, Kristina Ackers (Ward Sister) and Alison Fossard (PA to Dr Groves) are self-funding this once in a lifetime challenge so that every penny raised will go directly to Queenscourt, which cares for around 2,000 families in Southport, West Lancashire and Formby every year.
During the day they will trek through scorching 35 degree heat, before sleeping in the wild each night in an environment that is home to vipers, scorpions and other creatures!
The Wadi Rum, the biggest wadi (valley) in Jordan, is also known as ‘the Valley of the Moon’, and is a World Heritage site.
Shorna, Kristina and Alison have already raised over £4,000 for Queenscourt with more people being invited to donate via their JustGiving site here: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/queenscourtwadirum
They said: “This November we will trek through Petra and the Wadi Rum desert in Jordan on foot, camp out in the open and forego everyday luxuries to raise money for Queenscourt.
“We will walk up to eight hours per day for six consecutive days in temperatures as high as 35 degrees passing through sand dunes, rocky corridors, deep canyons and stone stairs. At night, we will sleep in tents alongside desert scorpions, vipers and other critters.”
The vast Wadi Rum in Jordan is the home of several Bedouin tribes, and is famous for its association with British Army Officer T.E.Lawrence, who passed through several times during the Arab Revolt of 1917–18. In the 1980s. Shots of Wadi Rum in the 1962 movie Lawrence of Arabia were responsible for kick-starting Jordan’s tourist industry and introducing travellers to this spectacular place.
The trail follows old shepherd paths, weaving its way west across desert wadis and over striped granite mountains.
Three three Queenscourt fundraisers revealed their reasons for taking on the challenge:
SHORNA WARREN (Doctor) said:
“2022 marks my 10 year anniversary working as a Specialty Palliative Medicine Doctor in Queenscourt. I love my work, supporting patients and their families, and feel extremely privileged in my role.
“I want to raise money to allow Queenscourt to continue providing the support needed to enable patients who are living with life limiting disease to achieve their best possible quality of life.”
KRISTINA ACKERS (Ward Sister) said:
“I want to do this trek for a few reasons: Firstly, to remember all the patients and families we have looked after; the times we have laughed and cried together with them and those who are important to them.
“Secondly, I want to do it for myself – I want to push through the hardship and prove that I can do it. And the biggest privilege is doing it with amazing doctor Shorna and always helpful Ali. What else can I ask for? Maybe just your support for our mission. Thank you.”
ALISON FOSSARD (PA to Dr Groves) said:
“I and other unseen staff working in administration are often the first contact patients and their families have with Queenscourt.
“I feel privileged to work at Queenscourt, supporting patients and families through that initial contact, and feel so proud of the work #teamqueenscourt does, which we can continue to do with your support.”
Every penny raised will go directly to Queenscourt Hospice as Shorna, Kristina and Alison are fully funding this trek themselves.
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