HOSPITAL nurses, a school teacher and a financial advisor are among 21 trekkers jetting off to the Grand Canyon on Saturday for a once in a lifetime trek in aid of the Stars Appeal.

The group, whose members’ ages range from 20s to late 50s, has already raised nearly £50,000 for projects at Salisbury District Hospital.

Led by Spire FM’s presenter Martin Starke,they will be camping during the five-day trek and walking between six and ten hours a day.

Bernie Dunn, who is a senior nurse at the Day Surgery Unit, is trekking with her two colleagues, theatre sister Tina Pearson and receptionist Helen Davis, with all three raising money for the Breast Cancer Unit Campaign.

She said: “We look after the ladies who come into hospital for surgery whether it’s the initial investigation or a mastectomy.

"We are all proud of the hospital and want to help improve the experience and treatment for ladies.

“Together, we have organised the first ever car boot sale at the hospital, held raffles and cake sales to help raise funds.”

Financial advisor Derek Gibbons, a partner at Emery Little in Wilton, says to trek in the Grand Canyon has always been on his bucket list.

He said: “I do a bit of trekking and wanted to raise money for the new breast cancer unit. My own sister had cancer for many years and succumbed a few years ago. The Stars Appeal is a great local charity which helps our own families, friends and colleagues.”

Lesley Greasley, who is a supply teacher at schools in south Wiltshire and Hampshire, has been helping to organise group walks for the trekkers and says school children have been helping her to raise funds for the Stars Appeal.

She said: “I have wanted to do a trek in the Grand Canyon since my mid 20s when I first saw it and was told the only way to appreciate how big it was was to go down into it.

"I have taken part in assemblies to explain what the trip is about and will do so when we return as well. "

Children at Newton Tony, West Tytherley, South Wilts and Stockbridge School have been wearing odd socks for Odstock Hospital to support the appeal.

Mrs Greasley signed up to the trek on her birthday last year – May 8 – and will be celebrating this year in Las Vegas, the day after the trekkers come out of the canyon.

For more details visit starsappeal.org