A dream trek for Elaine

Now thanks to the power of the press – and a story in our sister paper, the Luton News – she’s about to realise her lifelong ambition.

Elaine, 66, of Katherine Drive in Dunstable read about Luton beauty boss Michelina Gurie ditching her potions and lotions to trek the Sahara for Keech Hospice Care.

“And all of a sudden it was like having an opportunity handed to me on a plate,” she said. “I’ve visited Morocco on a walking holiday and thought it would be lovely to go back and take part in a community project.

“I contacted Michelina for a chat and rang Keech fundraising to register. Now I’m well on my way to taking part in this great event – full points to the power of the newspaper!”

Elaine explained how her obsession to go to Africa took hold: “It all started when I was about nine or ten. I used to go to a church club and was given a book about Scottish missionary Mary Slessor.

“I thought what she did was fantastic and it’s been at the back of my mind ever since.”

But life got in the way – Elaine became a nurse, married and never got round to it.
A keen rambler who volunteers for The Friends of the Elderly, she camps at Greenbelt arts and faith festival every year, so spending four days under canvas next March holds no horrors.

“In fact I’m really looking forward to it,” she said. “The work will be inspiring and trekking an experience – including no washing facilities for four days. I’ll just take lots of loo rolls and wet wipes.”

Elaine has to raise around £2,000 in sponsorship but is adamant she doesn’t expect to have her trip subsidised.

“Why should people pay for something I really want to do?” she queried. “I’ll take care of that so all the money I raise will go directly to Keech Hospice Care.”

> Sponsor Elaine at www.justgiving.com/Elaine-Scott2