Team heading from Salisbury to Colombia for latest Stars Appeal trek
They're aiming to raise over £50,000 - we've spoken to three participants
A group of over 30 people are embarking on a trek to the Lost City of Teyuna in Colombia today (Saturday 20th April) to give back to Salisbury District Hospital.
The group, which features men and women, young and old, will trek for up to 12 hours a day through the South American rainforest in 30 degrees heat and 90% humidity.
And when they reach their destination, they'll need to scale 1,200 ancient stone steps to arrive at the finish line.
They leave for South America today (20/4) at 4:15pm.
Giving back to a service that's helped so many
Among the group are Salisbury GP Helena McKeown, Jas Hair Group owner Jayne Prigent and ex-police officer Colin Ford.
They've told us why they chose to take on the challenge.
Helena said she wants to give back to the service that's support her on a number of occasions: "I've had four children in in the hospital, so I've been helped with those. I've had several operations, both planned and emergency operations."
One of those operations included treatment on her right-hand after she developed CRPS (Complex Regional Pain Syndrome), where the brain 'forgets' to use parts of the body.
For Jayne, who's taking part in her fifth trek, she said: "I love supporting Stars Appeal because it's really good to give back to the community and having a local charity that actually looks after local people."
She's tackling this latest adventure with her eldest daughter Alice, which she says will make the experience even more exciting for her.
Colin, a three-time cancer survivor, is on his second trek with the charity, and says it's the least he can do for a service that's 'saved his life' on three occasions.
"Everybody's amazing, from the cleaners down to the top surgeons that carried out my surgeries. Everybody up there has been fantastic."
In 2011, Colin was diagnosed with Prostate cancer and had surgery to remove the prostate gland. Then, in 2016, he was diagnosed with Urethra cancer before it was discovered just six months after that surgery he had bowel cancer.
Thankfully, Colin is in the clear now.
Wave the group off
The group are leaving from Salisbury District Hospital this afternoon and we can wave them off as they head to Heathrow for their flight.
They'll be gathering outside the Staff Club at Entrance B to the Hospital at 4:15pm today (Saturday 20th April) before boarding the bus to London at around 5pm.
Each participant is asked to raise a minimum of £1,500, and they all pay for the trek themselves and it's hoped that they can collectively raise over £50,000 for the Stars Appeal.