Stars Appeal trekkers come together to raise funds
Fundraising's been difficult for those planning to trek the Jordanian desert next year.
More than 40 people have signed up for the trip to the ancient city of Petra in April 2021.
All the money raised by the trekkers will go towards the Stars Appeal and their work at Salisbury District Hospital - and each person has to raise at least £1,650 for the cause to seal their place.
But the Covid-19 pandemic has made fundraising tougher this year, so some of the trekkers have joined forces to help get the money in.
The group, led by Melanie Cusack from Harnham, have launched an online auction through Facebook, with more than 20 lots available for us to bid on.
It's the second time they've put together a fundraiser like this and the success of that means they're doing it again.
WHAT'S UP FOR GRABS?
The lots include some really prestigious gifts:
- Short break in Devon
- Signed Doctor Who photographs
- Amazon Echo Dot
- Original Oil painting of Salisbury Cathedral
- Swarovski Pendant Necklace
The auction's being run on the group's Facebook page.
It's now open, with bidding closing at 6.00pm on Sunday 11th October.
Bids can be put in on the comments, with only the winning bid having to pay - with all the money going to the Stars Appeal directly.
HUGE SUPPORT FOR CHARITY FROM TREKS
The last three Stars Appeal trips have brought in more than £300,000 for the charity, which goes towards equipment and projects over and above what the NHS can provide at our local hospital.
Everyone signed up to go to Petra will travel 100 kilometres in 6 days - walking Bedouin paths, over mountains, through desert and canyons, with some spectacular sights.
Walkers will camp out along the way, with the whole trek led by the team from the Coombe Bissett based company Discover Adventure.