Frontline hospice staff from south east London will be trekking across the Sahara Desert in November to raise money for their community.

Greenwich & Bexley Community Hospice staff, who deliver vital care and support to patients in these boroughs, will spend four days braving the desert to mark the hospice's 30th anniversary.

The team comprises staff from areas including the nursing, rehabilitation, and bereavement counselling teams, as well as the fundraising and volunteering teams.

Each member plays an crucial role in providing palliative and end-of-life care to those diagnosed with a terminal or life-limiting condition in the Royal Borough of Greenwich and the London Borough of Bexley.

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While their everyday work involves improving the lives of patients and families, this time they are ready to go the extra mile.

The Sahara expedition is a fundraising challenge aimed to help the hospice to reach its target of raising £6 million annually to deliver its services.

Natalie Moseley, Head of Community Services at the hospice, said: "We feel so privileged to work with and be part of such an amazing team of colleagues who every day make a positive difference to the lives of people in our community, who need our care and support the most.

"This might be helping families to create special last memories with a loved one who is nearing the end of their life, or it may be about supporting people to live as well as they can for as long as they can.

"Every year, the hospice looks after nearly 3,000 patients, and in this, our 30th year, we want to do our bit to make sure that the hospice can continue to deliver brilliant care and support for many more years to come."

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Ms Moseley is part of the team trekking across the Sahara.

Other 'Hospice Hikers' taking part in this fundraiser are Matron for Inpatient Services, Ellen Tumelty; Deputy Sister for the Inpatient Unit and Virtual Ward, Tania White; Team Lead for Rehabilitation & Wellbeing, Hannah Doubleday; Community Palliative Care Team Leader, Sue Marsden; counsellor Leslie Price; staff nurse Haiqin Li; Compassionate Neighbour Co-ordinator, Irene Baumgartl; Virtual Ward Nurse, Amy White-Moore; and Challenge Events Fundraiser Michael Fyall.

If you wish to support the Hospice Hikers, contributions can be made via their JustGiving page.

A second Sahara expedition is planned in March 2025, with those inspired to join encouraged to email team@gbch.org.uk.