Rachel and Catherine both work as Palliative Care Nurses in the inpatient unit at the Florence Nightingale Hospice. Trudi works as a Palliative Clinical Nurse Specialist at Stoke Mandeville Hospital.

Palliative Care is an area that we all feel privileged to work in. Of course, some days can be incredibly difficult, but this is balanced out by the care and support shown by everyone who works within this speciality.

We are always committed to giving patients and their families the best supportive care, and we constantly see first-hand how donations to the Charity help our services and the patients and their families during the some of the most challenging times.

Here’s a little more about ourselves and why we have decided to take on the great Sahara trek to fundraise for the Florence Nightingale Hospice.

About Catherine

I have worked at Florence Nightingale Hospice for eight years.

After working in many different specialities over the last thirty years, Palliative Care is the environment that I have found the most rewarding to work in. It is truly a privilege to support and care for patients at the end of life and, although emotionally demanding, I love my job.

Trekking in the Sahara will be a challenge, (I'm not generally one for walking long distances in the heat!) but raising funds which are continually needed to support our services will keep me going and knowing that I’m helping the fundraising efforts is very rewarding for me.

About Rachel

I joined the Florence Nightingale Hospice after working in the acute medical wards for over twenty years,but three years ago made a career change into this speciality.

The hospice provides all kinds of support, therapies and spiritual care to patients and their families.

To ensure we can keep providing essential equipment and little luxuries within the hospice, I am excited to be a part of The Sahara Trek to raise money and awareness of the work we do and the kind of support the Hospice provides to the Buckinghamshire community.

This is two full days and two half days trekking across dried-upriver beds, sand dunes and vast sun-baked plains. Once I have finished the trek, I am thrilled to be taking part in a two-day community project in Marrakech which supports vulnerable young people with education and vocational training after they have been orphaned, abused or rejected by their family.

Although I am very much looking forward to this, it is taking me out of my comfort zone!

If you can make any donation, no matter how small. You will be helping the Hospice make such a difference to its patients and their families. Wish us luck and we all thank you for your support

About Trudi

I have nursed for thirty five years,the last five as a hospital palliative clinical nurse specialist at Stoke Mandeville Hospital. Part of my role enables me to refer patients to the hospice from acute hospital areas,which can come as a great comfort to many patients and their families.

Our team works very closely with the team at Florence Nightingale Hospice, now we have continued our collaboration participating in the Sahara Trek together for the Hospice and our patients.

I am very much looking forward to this challenge.