A team from Marie Curie Hospice are embarking on an arctic expedition

A team of 10 colleagues from the Marie Curie Hospice, Liverpool are preparing to set off on an arctic expedition to raise funds for people living with terminal illnesses and their families.

The trek will take place from 8^th to 15^th March 2020 and involves a gruelling itinerary of survival challenges, including cross-country skiing, husky driving, snowmobiling and shelter building. 

The aim of the trek is to raise £28,000 to help run the Woolton-based hospice and fund the charity’s end of life services across Merseyside. Last year, the Marie Curie Hospice, Liverpool cared for more than 1,266 people and their families, at a cost of £5.2m a year.

It will be the first time that a group from the same Marie Curie Hospice will take part in a trek together, with representatives from across the hospice’s departments, including clinicians, physiotherapists, occupational therapists and members of the maintenance and admin teams.

Laura Chapman, Medical Director at the Marie Curie Hospice, Liverpool, is taking part in the challenge and has raised more than £4,000 to date. Talking about the trek, she said: “I’ve worked for Marie Curie for 12 years and I am always amazed by the fantastic fundraisers who work tirelessly giving their time and energy to raise money for the charity, so that’s why I wanted to join in and challenge myself at the same time.

“The whole experience has been great fun so far. The team and I have been furiously fundraising all year – from holding an afternoon tea party at St Peters Church Hall in Woolton and auctioning LFC and EFC signed football shirts to a quiz night at the Woolton Village Club and abseiling down Liverpool Cathedral! We’ve really pushed ourselves to raise as much money as possible.

“In my role I see the impact that Marie Curie’s care and support has on the lives of individuals and their families on a daily basis, and I know that without fundraising we wouldn’t be able to continue to provide the vital, services that we do.

“I’m nervous about trekking in the Arctic – and how cold it’s going to be! But I know that what I’m doing is worthwhile and that it will hopefully benefit the lives of so many people.”

Antony Jones, Marie Curie Community Fundraiser for Liverpool, said: “Our treks are always very popular, whether it’s with people looking to take on a new challenge in a beautiful country with stunning landscapes or those whose family has been cared for at our hospice in Woolton and want to give something back.

“We hope that the Arctic survival challenge will be one of the best treks yet – and that our colleagues and supporters taking part have the adventure of a lifetime while raising money for an important local cause.”

To donate to the Marie Curie Hospice, Liverpool Arctic survival challenge, click here.

To find out more about Marie Curie’s overseas treks and to sign-up to upcoming events, click here.