VOLUNTEERS for a charity at the heart of mental health support in Cornwall will take part in an extreme challenge in the Sahara Desert next month.

Samaritans of Cornwall at Truro is one of 13 branches that form a South West support network. All are independent volunteer-run charities that must raise their own funds each year to deliver services. Volunteers will tackle an extreme walk across the Sahara desert to raise funds to be shared equally across the 13 branches across Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Somerset, Bristol and Gloucestershire.

From November 14 to 21, 24 participants will undertake a 100km trek over five days. They will face up to eight hours of gruelling trekking to cover up to 25km per day, on desert plateaus and undulating sand dunes, punishing their feet over hard, rocky terrain and hot sand.

With very basic overnight camping facilities exposed to desert winds, they will face exhausting temperatures during the day and freezing temperatures at night. Conditions will be challenging with unusual weather patterns, wildlife and the differing strengths and abilities of the group.

Each participant is tasked with raising at least £1,500 in individual sponsorship, to be combined with public donations and corporate sponsorship and shared equally across the 13 branches.

Sue Wilkins, regional co-director of Samaritans South West, said: “Our branches feed into a national network of Samaritans to provide emotional support to people who are struggling to cope, including those who may be experiencing suicidal thoughts.

“This event will help generate vital funds to support the continued operation of these 13 charities, and enable Samaritans volunteers to continue being there for people across the South West.”

Kathy Bevan, from Wadebridge, has been a listening volunteer for Samaritans Cornwall for seven years, and is no stranger to fundraising walks; in 2024, she embarked upon a solo trek from the Portuguese capital of Lisbon to the pilgrimage site of Santiago to Compostela in northern Spain, a distance of around 600km which took her over a month and raised £15,000 for Samaritans.

“This expedition will be very different,” she said. “It will be nice to do it with people this time – including my son, who is a listening volunteer in London. As we are all Samaritans, we will have that in common, although everyone has their own story about how they became a volunteer, which I look forward to hearing.”

Simon Hearn, 68, lives in St Mawes and is a former soldier. “I recently retired and doing something physical was on my to-do list, so when this opportunity came up, it was wonderful,” he said.

A seasoned trekker and a Samaritan for 20 years, Simon has thrown himself into training, including 20km walks and static bike work. “The terrain is expected to be a mixture of sand and rock,” he said. “I think it’s going to be amazing – I’m especially looking forward to the group camaraderie. I hope it will be well-supported – Samaritans is nationwide and it’s a brand people know well.”

Follow the progress of the Samaritans (South West) Sahara Challenge on Facebook, Instagram and X #SamaritansSWSaharaChallenge. To donate, visit: https://samaritanscommunity.enthuse.com/pf/saharasouthwest

To find out more about Cornwall Samaritans and donate specifically to support the branch, visit https://www.samaritans.org/branches/truro/.