A MUM is gearing up for a gruelling desert trek to raise funds for Havens Hospices.

Stella Tredwell, from Leigh, has signed up for the Havens Sahara Desert Trek and Project.

She will set off on the five-day, 100km trek on October 4.

Together with others, she will walk for up to eight hours a day in fierce temperatures.

Stella, who has no experience of such challenges, said: “It is going to be very challenging and very hot walking on the sand dunes in that kind of heat.

“Havens has given lots of advice and we will soon get a kit list, which will include a neck cooler, boots and socks. There will be camels to carry our kit – we only have to carry a small rucksack.”

Stella, who has already raised £1,400 for her trip, hopes to raise a total of £1,800 for the Westcliff-based hospices, where she works as an administrator.

She said: “I have been walking up to seven miles twice a week to get fit for the trek.

“After the trek, we will spend a couple of days working in hospitals and orphanages, so it will be quite tiring.

“We’ll be sleeping in a tent in the desert. I’m not really worried about snakes, but I don’t like the bugs.”