Local man urges others to join charity trek

A local man who took part in a fundraising trek to Mount Everest Base Camp last year is urging people to join him on his next expedition.

Mervyn Parrish, from Corsley, was part of a group that raised £15,000 for the Samaritans when they set out to trek to Everest Base Camp in October last year during a freak blizzard. He is now encouraging local people to join him in his next challenge, a five-day trek across the Sahara Desert.

The challenge will take place later this year, from 10th to 17th October. Mervyn will be raising money for the Samaritans again, a charity he volunteers for.

“As we all know, mental and emotional health is a serious issue in our society – we are here to listen,” said Mervyn. “The phone lines are free, all listeners are volunteers, and we need donations to keep this very important service going.”

The trek will cover 100km of Morocco’s landscape, starting on the Maider El Kébir plateau before ascending Jebel El Mrakib. The route joins the dry Rhris River and heads towards an oasis of tamarisk trees. The final days are spent trekking along the Tikertouachene River before ending in Ouarzazate.

The trek is organised by Charity Challenge, which describes it as “challenging, unforgiving, and life-changing.”

To find out more about the challenge, visit https://www.charitychallenge.com/challenge/60/Sahara-Desert-Trek  or contact Mervyn by emailing him at mervynparrish@yahoo.co.uk