Stunning response

THERE has been a truly staggering response to the Advertiser’s appeal for intrepid adventurers to take on a trek across the Sahara Desert in aid of Beaumond House Community Hospice.

The minimum number of participants required for the trip to go ahead was 12.

The hospice set itself a target of 25 to tie in with what will next year be the 25th anniversary of Newark Hospice Aid being launched.

The final tally is twice that — 50 have signed up for the trip.

That so many people are supporting what will be a huge fundraising effort, in such difficult economic times, shows how the hospice and the work it does is regarded by the community it serves.

It has even reached half-way round the world with Mr Richard Turk and his partner Katheryn McKernan, from Melbourne, Australia, arranging to meet the party from Newark when it arrives in Morocco.

Mr Turk’s mother, Mrs Wendy Turk, died in the hospice. Her widower, Mr Ken Turk, and other son, Adam, are also taking part in the trek.

In 2010-11 the hospice provided care to more than 400 patients and support for their families, at no cost to them.

Of the £700,000 a year it needs to provide its services, around £500,000 comes from donations by individuals and businesses.

With so much goodwill behind it, the Sahara trek will hopefully make a major contribution to the hospice fundraising effort.

The Advertiser is proud to be supporting such a fantastic cause at the heart of our community.