I did the trek and all the other events for those who are battling cancer now and who will in the future.
When Sarah Worth was asked if she would like to take part in a trek across the Sahara Desert to raise money for Hope for Tomorrow, no one could have known then that her mum was preparing for the battle of her life, to fight cancer full on.
“An almost devastating complication during an operation almost took mum from us just before Christmas in 2023,” says Sarah.
“But she came back strong, and another operation was scheduled to remove the cancer. Full surgery was required, and Mum had to overcome dealing with a stoma. There were many lows to come in the following months, but her strength got her through, and after more tests and investigations, mum thankfully received a cancer-free diagnosis.
“So, the following January when I was asked if I would take part in the 100-kilometre trek. I couldn’t say no. My family has been affected by cancer in many, many ways, so I decided I had to put my own reservations about the enormity of the challenge to the back of my mind.
“Spending five days with no home comforts, away from my family, wasn’t going to be a patch on what cancer patients, survivors and casualties of this horrendous disease have to go through on a daily basis.”
As Sarah was heading out to the dessert last November, her mum had her stoma reversed, and mid-way through the trek, she and the rest of the fundraising team heard they had hit their £10,000 target for the charity’s mobile cancer care units.
“It was such a boost to hear that,” says Sarah, deputy manager for Spirit Health Club in Gloucester, who, along with her team, have been tirelessly raising money for the charity for the past six years.
From endless coffee mornings, quiz nights, barbecues, race nights and 24-hour marathon cycling challenges, the club, based inside the Holiday Inn hotel chain, has brought in £12,007.03 in total to date to help fund the units.
“Although the trek was the most amazing experience, we really had to battle the heat. The Tribal Tracks organisers were amazing in their efforts to make sure we were fully prepared for the trip but it was a tough, difficult terrain,” says Sarah.
As well as her mum coming through cancer, Sarah’s dad has also survived a cancer diagnosis twice, and having seen how the disease has affected her own family has left Sarah with a profound need to be an active fundraiser.
“Cancer puts your life on hold. My mum is now looking forward to the future, but many, many more people are not so fortunate,” says Sarah.
“The work that Hope for Tomorrow does is invaluable, and I see the funds that we have raised as a finger up to cancer in the short term. It’s a way of saying it will not win.
“Whatever I can do to help, however small, then I will do it.
“Working in the fitness industry, I am acutely aware of how important good health is for everyone, but one in two people get diagnosed with cancer every day. That’s why I believe it’s important to keep chipping away at the fundraising. Any amount of money helps.
Fundraising is so rewarding; you know you are not helplessly standing by. You can actually make a difference.
“I would encourage everyone to do some fundraising if they can because you really do get back as much as you give. It’s a good feeling. Not everyone will want to do a trek across the Sahara Desert, but perhaps the odd park run here and there can make a difference. Every little bit helps.”
“I am so thankful to everyone on the Sahara team that got us through and for people believing that me and our team could get the job done.”
I did the trek and all the other events for those who are battling cancer now and who will in the future.
When Sarah Worth was asked if she would like to take part in a trek across the Sahara Desert to raise money for Hope for Tomorrow, no one could have known then that her mum was preparing for the battle of her life, to fight cancer full on.
“An almost devastating complication during an operation almost took mum from us just before Christmas in 2023,” says Sarah.
“But she came back strong, and another operation was scheduled to remove the cancer. Full surgery was required, and Mum had to overcome dealing with a stoma. There were many lows to come in the following months, but her strength got her through, and after more tests and investigations, mum thankfully received a cancer-free diagnosis.
“So, the following January when I was asked if I would take part in the 100-kilometre trek. I couldn’t say no. My family has been affected by cancer in many, many ways, so I decided I had to put my own reservations about the enormity of the challenge to the back of my mind.
“Spending five days with no home comforts, away from my family, wasn’t going to be a patch on what cancer patients, survivors and casualties of this horrendous disease have to go through on a daily basis.”
As Sarah was heading out to the dessert last November, her mum had her stoma reversed, and mid-way through the trek, she and the rest of the fundraising team heard they had hit their £10,000 target for the charity’s mobile cancer care units.
“It was such a boost to hear that,” says Sarah, deputy manager for Spirit Health Club in Gloucester, who, along with her team, have been tirelessly raising money for the charity for the past six years.
From endless coffee mornings, quiz nights, barbecues, race nights and 24-hour marathon cycling challenges, the club, based inside the Holiday Inn hotel chain, has brought in £12,007.03 in total to date to help fund the units.
“Although the trek was the most amazing experience, we really had to battle the heat. The Tribal Tracks organisers were amazing in their efforts to make sure we were fully prepared for the trip but it was a tough, difficult terrain,” says Sarah.
As well as her mum coming through cancer, Sarah’s dad has also survived a cancer diagnosis twice, and having seen how the disease has affected her own family has left Sarah with a profound need to be an active fundraiser.
“Cancer puts your life on hold. My mum is now looking forward to the future, but many, many more people are not so fortunate,” says Sarah.
“The work that Hope for Tomorrow does is invaluable, and I see the funds that we have raised as a finger up to cancer in the short term. It’s a way of saying it will not win.
“Whatever I can do to help, however small, then I will do it.
“Working in the fitness industry, I am acutely aware of how important good health is for everyone, but one in two people get diagnosed with cancer every day. That’s why I believe it’s important to keep chipping away at the fundraising. Any amount of money helps.
Fundraising is so rewarding; you know you are not helplessly standing by. You can actually make a difference.
“I would encourage everyone to do some fundraising if they can because you really do get back as much as you give. It’s a good feeling. Not everyone will want to do a trek across the Sahara Desert, but perhaps the odd park run here and there can make a difference. Every little bit helps.”
“I am so thankful to everyone on the Sahara team that got us through and for people believing that me and our team could get the job done.”
