Two Sandbach men have raised more than £5k to help cancer sufferers at St Luke's Hospice Cheshire which has a facility in Winterley.

Friends Mark Cook and Alex Sturge took part in the hospice's 'Trek Sahara - October 2025' event trekking 50km (30 mile) in the Sahara desert, the third largest desert in the world.

They spent three days out in the Sahara, with only their trekkers and the support team for company, scaling sand dunes, battling scorching temperatures and camping under the stars.

Alex said: "When I saw St Luke's advertising the Sahara Trek to raise valuable funds for the hospice I thought this was a great opportunity for me to focus on fund raising and getting fit.

Alex and Mark are delighted with the amount they have raised for St Luke's. (Photo: Mark Cook)

"We've also worked in the Sandbach community painting sheds and fences, digging gardens, building flat packs etc while raising money for the hospice

"I felt it was a small way of paying back the incredible care my father-in-law received at a similar hospice in Leicestershire.

"Since signing up to do the trek I started volunteering for the St Luke's Cheshire Hospice warehouse and later became an employee, and it has been a pleasure to do my small bit to help fund the amazing support from the hospice that sadly so many people need.

"The trek was hard mainly due to the heat and harsh conditions but a lot of fun and we made some great friends. There were 22 of us trekking, raising over £53k - a record amount for a St Luke's trek event."

Mark and Alex scaled sand dunes, battled scorching temperatures and camping under the stars during their three day trek. (Photo: Mark Cook)

Mark added: "St Luke's is a Sandbach's local hospice and is there for people with a life limiting illness. I have seen the wonderful work they do and my wife volunteers for St Luke's.

"The opportunity to raise money to support their work whilst having an adventure of a lifetime was unmissable.

"The Sahara Desert was beautiful and Alex and I are so grateful for the support of the Sandbach community in helping us raise over £5,000 for St Luke's."

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