Sahara Sisters swapping Stourbridge for the sweltering Sahara Desert to raise money for Acorns Hospice after being inspired by brave Olivia

This October, a group of nine women, now known as the Sahara Sisters, will be trekking 50km across Sahara Desert, over four days to raise vital funds for Acorns Hospice.

Aimee Guy, Emma Bernard, Claire Smith, Laura Smith, Jayne Cox, Kelly Copson, Kate Ashman, Nikola Stockley and Emma Edwards will endure sweltering temperatures of 35°C during the day, camping out in lows of 0°C at night.

After the trek, they'll spend two days in Marrakech contributing to a community project that supports vulnerable and homeless people with accommodation and education.

They have been inspired to complete the challenge by the plight of little four-year-old Olivia, Aimee's daughter. 

Aimee said: "I am an everyday mother of four, wife and employee juggling life. What makes my story a little different is why I have chosen to embark on this incredible adventure and draft in right of my friends for the ride.

"On October 8, 2020, following a very normal pregnancy, Olivia was born by planned Caesarean section. On this day mine and my husband Jason's worlds were changed forever. 

"Olivia was born with a rare genetic condition called 1p36 Chromosome Deletion Syndrome. Unless you know someone who is affected by the condition it’s highly unlikely that you would have heard of it.

"Olivia’s condition in a nutshell is a genetic abnormality where a microscopic part of chromosome 1 is missing. Olivia has a list of complexities and has spent a considerable amount of time in hospital."

She added: "She has profound learning disabilities, physical disabilities, she can not sit, stand or walk independently, has epilepsy, visual and hearing impairments and is non-verbal. 

"She has undergone heart surgery and requires 24-hour care, which is provided by me and my husband."

The Saleem Foundation is backing the Sahara Sisters challenge, donating £250 and providing logistical support.

Foundation founder Shaz Saleem said, "It's an incredible challenge for such a worthy cause, i'm so proud of these Amazing people. Acorns Children’s hospice has three sites across the West Midlands, each hospice has a team of local GP’s who are available 24 hours a day. 

"The Team at Acorns provide a variety of services to their families, however, their standout service is the one service you wish you would never need.Should a family receive the unimaginable information that their child requires end of life care, the team at Acorns Children’s Hospice are at hand to support the family throughout."

Claire Smith, from Acorns, said: "These services are only available because of charitable giving. On average Children’s hospices only receive 17% of their annual budget from the Government. This trek not only raises vital funds for Acorns Children’s Hospice, but awareness that these services existand need our support to continue to provide vital services to families across the Black Country."

To donate to the Sahara Sisters visit https://www.justgiving.com/page/camels-do-the-sahara?newPage=true.