TEN determined trekkers from Saddleworth and Oldham helped to raise more than £24,500 for Francis House as they took on a five-day challenge in Iceland.
Dobcross resident Revd David Ireland, who is the Hospice’s CEO, led a group of 25 trekkers as they climbed between the fjords and mountains, walking for up to eight hours a day.
They witnessed a wild herd of one hundred reindeer and saw the northern lights at Bakkagerdi.
No cars or other people were seen until the last day and there was no mobile phone signal in the spectacular but remote landscape.
David said: “It was a hard trek, but we had a fantastic group of people, and Iceland was a wonderful experience.
“In some parts it was like walking in Saddleworth and other parts like mountain walking.”
Icelandic mountain guides led the group and the team experienced the local diet of ocean cat fish and puffin.
David said: “We are so grateful to all the trekkers for their hard work with months of training.
“Everybody worked well together and even took turns in cooking each night.”
Other Saddleworth walkers included David’s niece Bethany Sharp, Helen Gorton, Gill McCulley, Andrew Taylor, and – the oldest participant – 73-year-old Monica Thomas from Delph.
The sponsorship money raised will help Francis House provide care for children, teenagers and young adults with life-limiting conditions and support for their families from across the north west of England.
For more information visit: www.francishouse.org.uk
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