FOUR years ago Claire Arthur left the comforts of her home in Crediton to spend six nights camping under the stars in the Sahara Desert to raise money for Hospiscare.

The trek started with a five-hour journey through the Atlas Mountains and then another four hours to reach the starting point in the Sahara Desert.

Claire said: “Throughout the trek, we were looked after extremely well by our Berber guides and their camels.

“We learnt how to bake bread in the sand, encountered a pack of wild dogs, trekked through a sandstorm and even taught the Berbers the Okey Cokey!

“I was also lucky enough to celebrate my birthday whilst we were there and I was presented with a lovely surprise birthday cake and spent the day exploring the Marrak’Souk (Marrakech market) with a horse and carriage ride back to our hotel.

“As a group, we raised £46,128 for Hospiscare, which we were immensely proud of!”

In 2016 Claire trekked across the Great Wall of China, again in aid of Hospiscare.

She explained: “This experience saw us trekking through cornfields, rural farmland, the original wall at Simatai, the restored section of the wall that is open to tourists and the guard towers.

“Much of our route was across parts of the wall that many people do not get the pleasure of seeing as was the parts that are overgrown and crumbling away.

“We were told that sections of it would not be there in a year’s time.

“Again we camped in very basic conditions, on farms of local families. They were all extremely friendly and we were well fed and looked after.

“ We came across many farm animals, street food, abandoned houses/huts and on the last day, we were lucky enough to be taken to the summit of The Great Wall.

”We ended our trip with a visit to The Forbidden City and a traditional Chinese circus show which was fantastic!

“As a team, we raised a massive £89,000!”

This September Claire will be taking on another challenge to raise money for Hospiscare with the “Three Volcano’s Challenge in Iceland.”

Claire explained: “We will be trekking up and down three active volcanoes in Iceland, one of which will be 1,666 metres high, as well as across snow fields, lava fields and vast glaciers.

“This will be a very different trek to the previous two, however, I am definitely looking forward to it!

“The biggest highlight I have taken away from these experiences are, the amount of new friends you make along the way.

“Within 24 hours of starting the adventures, you find yourselves having conversations with people, as personal as if you were talking with your closest friends and family.

“And the best part is, we have pretty much all stayed in touch afterwards.

“All of these treks have involved fundraising which thankfully, I really enjoy.

“In total (for all three treks) I have managed to hit my £10,000 target and am still going.

“I have done this by holding events like meat bingos, bucket collections in Morrisons, selling pre-loved books, holding cake sales and much much more!

“I couldn’t have done it without everyone who has been involved in some shape or form so for that I thank you.

“Whether you have donated on my "Just Giving" page, donated raffle prizes and cakes, donated your time, attended my fundraisers or helped to run errands with me, I am truly grateful!

“The community in Crediton and surrounding areas is just amazing!

“As little as £10 will supply a patient with comfort-giving dressings and medication to relieve their symptoms.

“It costs Hospiscare, £10,000 to run the in-patient unit for one week, so your support and generosity really can help to provide patients and their families the opportunity to make the most of what time they have left together.

To support Claire visit: www.justgiving.com/Claire-Arthur7 .