Chalfont St Peter mum and sister to walk across the Sahara

Bereaved mum Rebecca Gaskell, and her daughter, Imogen, who are both from Chalfont St Peter, are partaking in the Sahara Trek between March 9 and March 16 to raise funds for Helen & Douglas House following the death of their daughter and sister, Grace.

Grace was cared for by the hospice after she was diagnosed with a brain tumour at the age of 12 before she succumbed to her illness two years later.

Rebecca and daughter Imogen with a picture of Grace (Image: NA)

She passed away just before her 14th birthday in 2020.

Rebecca said: “The thought of going to hospice filled me with utter dread.

“Grace had several stays at Helen & Douglas House and always enjoyed being there, often asking if she could stay longer.

 “Our last visit came in November of 2020, the day Grace passed away.

“We were given the blessed opportunity to stay with Grace for five further days after her passing.

“Grace was cared for with the utmost dignity and love by all the staff.

Imogen with Grace from left to right (Image: NA)

“They looked after my whole family, they cried with us, grieved with us, fed us and held our hands through the hardest time of our lives.

“Grace was a very loving and funny girl, a natural comedian who loved to make people laugh with funny dances and songs.

“She was incredibly caring and always put others first despite her cancer. “

Rebecca and Imogen will walk for two full days and two half days across ancient dried up river beds, dunes and vast sun-baked plains.

They will each camp out in the Sahara before travelling back to Marrakech in Morocco to spend two days helping a community project which supports vulnerable young people with education and vocational training.

Rebecca added: “The staff swept us and our grief up and cared for us with patience and love.

“We will never forget their care at such a painful time. 

  “Now we want to give back...so now it's our turn.

“We will walk 60km through the Sahara desert through the heat and sandstorms to raise much-needed funds for Helen & Douglas House.

“Helen & Douglas House needs £4.7 million a year to run its incredibly special hospice unit for babies up to teens.

Rebecca and daughter Grace (Image: NA)

“They can't provide this care without your support.

“They helped us at our hardest times and continue to support our family now three years after Grace passed away.”

Rebecca has already raised £1,200 for Helen & Douglas House and is also taking part in a Skydive on what would have been Grace’s 18th birthday on April 12.

To donate to the cause, go to www.gofundme.com/f/SaharaRebeccaImy.