Group raise £100k for hospice in trek of Himalayas

A group of 49 volunteers took on a five-day trek of the Himalayas

A group of volunteers have raised more than £100,000 for charity after taking on a five-day trek of the Himalayas.

The Myton Hospices, based in Coventry and Warwickshire, thanked 49 of its volunteers who travelled to India before embarking on their hike.

The charity said the money would go towards vital funding needed for patients and services to keep the hospice free of charge.

The hospices' events and campaigns manager, Natalie Walker, thanked the group, adding: "Your support will make such a difference to our patients and their families."

The volunteers started their journey in Dehli, India, before travelling overnight to Dharamsala, home of the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan community.

From there they group to Bir, at the foothills of the Himalayas, to begin their five-day trek through the forests, mountain passes, and remote villages.

The challenge concluded with visits to the historic Baijnath Temple and the Norbulinka Institute before the group returned to Delhi.

Ms Walker said: "I would like to say a big thank you to each and every person that took part in our Himalayan trek. It was such a wonderful and special thing to be part of with you all.

"Your hard work, determination and fundraising is amazing."

The charity said it cost £15.3m a year to continue to provide its services free of charge.

With only 17% of its funding received from the NHS, it meant it had to raise an additional £12.7m - working out to £1m each month.

The hospice added: "We couldn't provide our vital services without the support of people like our incredible trekkers."