INTREPID trekkers are taking on a four-day charity challenge in the Sahara Desert.

Twenty-two trekkers plus their Berber guides were starting their trek across the Sahara this morning in aid of Weldmar Hospice-care Trust.

The trek is taking place in blistering heat and no shade during the day – while temperatures will be dropping to freezing during the night.

Their target is to raise £30,000 for the Dorchester-based hospice to support their work, both in the hospice and the community. They will finish on Monday.

Events and challenges co-ordinator Matt Smith will be going with the team. He said: “It’s exciting. It’s the first overseas challenge we have ever done for the charity.

“I think everyone is quietly excited. They have all done really well with sponsorship.

“They have worked really hard raising funds over the months.”

The group has trained by going out on walks across the summer.

Mr Smith added: “I think everyone’s ready to go- it should be a really good few days.”

The charity is already planning its challenge for next year – a trek in Iceland.

Friends Nikki Nash and Charlene Baker said they were both doing the walk in memory of loved ones.

Charlene said her friend Nikki Baker (no relation) passed away in the hospice last year and she wanted to raise money to help the charity to say thank you.

Nikki Nash lost her father Butch Nash two years ago to cancer and so she wanted to raise money to help other people.

Taking on the trek are: Matthew Ankers, Shaun Amos, Margaret Amos, Charlene Baker, Dan Bartlett, Sam Davis, Lee Deakin, Liz Duke, Nicky Dyer, Melissa Eryilmaz, Jon Formon, James Grant, Freddie Higgs, Katie Jarvis, Tim Joslin, Paul Kyte, Nikki Nash, Sandra Rey-nolds, Matthew Stonier, Carly Shereston, Kerry Stepney, Sally Way and Matt Smith.

To help see www.justgiving.com/sahara13. To sign up for Iceland see www.weld-hospice.org.uk.