Catherine Thomson, Senior Assistant Registrar in the Student Recruitment Office, completed a demanding trek across the Sahara desert in March 2012, walking to raise funds for Macmillan Cancer Support.

The trek involved walking for around seven hours a day for a week in 30 degree heat, and covered a varied terrain including a number of steep sand dunes. Catherine undertook the trek in memory of her father, who died from cancer, and raised over £3,000 to support people living with cancer.

Catherine was part of a group of 18 walkers who collectively raised over £46,000. She found it a moving experience, and said:

We did it. And so can anyone. The people I was privileged to meet on that trek came from a wide variety of backgrounds, and had all signed up, motivated by their direct or indirect experience of cancer, to raise money, awareness and to take part in the experience of a lifetime. Aside of blisters, bizarre tan lines, sand everywhere and a newfound appreciation of baby wipes, those few days in the Sahara gave us all so much perspective, a unique sense of achievement and an amazing group of new friends. I could not recommend it highly enough!

Read Catherine's article about the trip