As 50 of our intrepid supporters get ready to set off across the Sahara, we talked to Lynne Phair, who is undertaking the challenge for the second time. Lynne, 66, started fundraising for St Wilfrid’s after we cared for her mum in 2018. Since then, she has raised more than £17,000 for us through numerous overseas challenges and has also signed up for Wilfride 2026 and the Camino De Santiago Trek 2027 trip.

“Adventures fill my soul, so when I heard about the Sahara Trek the hospice was running in 2019, I signed up. And I haven’t stopped since! I’m not a natural sports person but doing these challenges gives me a reason to get out of bed and push myself. They are a complete change and take your brain away from all the other worries you have in life. I’ve also made some wonderful friends who have something in common and understand.

When I signed up for my first challenge, which was the Sahara Trek, my mum had been supported by the hospice for some months. She spent a week on the Inpatient Unit but wanted to die at home. That was made possible thanks to the support of the St Wilfrid’s Nurse Line, because I could phone them anytime day or night for guidance and support.

Fast forward a couple of years, and my husband, John, had developed an unusual type of heart failure. As wonderful as the NHS is, John’s condition didn’t fit any of their community services in our area, so there was no NHS support available. I was totally on my own. In desperation, I contacted the hospice to ask if they accept referrals for John’s condition. Fortunately, they did. If it hadn’t been for everyone at St Wilfrid’s, I don’t know what I would have done; it would have been a nightmare.

As time went on, John’s life became increasingly difficult, and he spent two months on the hospice Inpatient Unit. The doctors thought he was coming to the end of his life, but against all the odds, he started to improve, and with a support plan in place, was able to return home. People often think the hospice is just the building, but it is so much more. John could only go home thanks to the support offered by St Wilfrid’s, which included the Community Team, physios, nurses and doctors.

We were also supported once again by Nurse Line. I would sometimes call them when I felt distressed, frustrated or angry with the situation, but the team would chat to me and by the end of the call I’d be laughing about the craziness of where we were. They absolutely understand the rollercoaster of emotions.

In July, John was able to enjoy his 90^th birthday party, and he died peacefully at home five days later. Since then, having the focus of the Sahara is even more important than before, because I’ve got something to look forward to. I’ve also volunteered at Starlight Stroll, handing out t-shirts at the hospice in the run-up, and marshalling the route on event day.

I consider the Fundraising Team to be an important part of the support network for people like me. We can do our bit, they understand where we’re at and that we might have moments of sadness but can also laugh. They are very much part of the total hospice support service, which can’t be underestimated.

I’m so grateful to St Wilfrid’s. You never know when you’ll need the hospice, none of us do, and the reason it was here for my mum and John is because other people have donated or fundraised. I feel that once the hospice has got you, they’ve got you forever. And that is such a comfort. The word palliative comes from the Latin word palliare, which means ‘to cloak’ – and that is exactly what it was – a cloak around us.”

Pictured: Lynne on her first Sahara Trek; Lynne and John; Lynne is taking her Wilfie Bear mascot on the trip

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