HOSPICE colleagues will be going to great heights to raise funds for vital end-of-life care.

Liz Hopkins and Rosina Lilley are both nursing assistants at Sue Ryder Duchess of Kent Hospice on Liebenrood Road.

They decided to fundraise by travelling to Kathmandu and onto Pokhara to spend six days trekking in the Annapurna Region of the Himalayas.

The end goal is to reach the summit by climbing more than 3,200 metres. The duo have previously conquered Kilimanjaro in 2017 and they decided to continue taking on challenges after raising £20,000 for the hospice.

Rosina said: “We have been training by taking exercise weekends away to the Cotswolds and we have even climbed Scafell Pike in Cumbria.

"The weather has not been great for training but we have made sure to still get out there.

"We are inspired to take on this Himalayan challenge for those that wish they could, but are unable to because of their diagnosis.

"When we are trekking it will spur us on knowing every step we take is raising funds for our incredible hospice.”

The duo have hosted a family fun day and charity ball to boost fundraising ahead of their trek and have to date raised a fantastic £14,000.

Rosina added: “We would both like to say a huge thank you to everyone who has supported us so far. We can’t wait to update you on how we get on.”

The hospice offers vital support for adults living with conditions like cancer, heart failure and lung disease.

Whether supporting people in the hospice or their own homes, the focus is on quality of life, giving every patient the care and support they need to spend the time they have left in the way they choose.