SUPPORTERS and staff from a hospice are taking on a nine-day adventure across Cambodia finishing at the UNESCO world heritage site and Buddhist temple Angkor Wat.

St John's Hospice, which supports people from across South Lakeland, use trips such as this to raise money, as it only receives a third of its funding from the NHS. The expedition has already raised over £120,000. 

The Westmorland Gazette: The hospice workers about to depart from St John'sThe hospice workers about to depart from St John's (Image: St John's)

The trips are an annual event for the hospice. Previously, expeditions visited the Great Wall of China, Machu Picchu, the Sahara Desert, and the Himalayan foothills. 

The supporters often have family members that use the services of St John's so want to support their local hospice. 

Gary is taking on his fourth trek this year. He said: "Myself and the Butler Family have fundraised for St John’s for over 25 years since our parents were cared for there. The support we’ve received from the Hospice since then has never wavered. Only yesterday my Father-in-Law is now receiving end-of-life care, so their services are needed again by our family.”

Ellie is trekking in memory of her best friend: “The hospice looked after my best friend in her last few days, I didn’t realise the hospice relies on individuals donating to continue to provide amazing support. When I saw the advert for this trek it made sense to me to help support them, and my friend’s birthday would have fallen on one of the dates we are trekking.

"When I think about the funds we have all raised I know we are all doing an amazing thing, although I’m slightly nervous about what’s in store!”

The trekkers are due back from their adventure on November 13 with updates posted on the St John’s Hospice website.

The sponsor link to the trekkers is here.