A TEAM of four adventurous trekkers have raised a staggering £11,542 for Prospect Hospice by completing a demanding challenge in the Alps.

Lisa Whellams, Melanie Ralph, and husband and wife Mark and Maliha Dawson hiked 65 kilometres over three days in the shadow of Mont Blanc, Western Europe’s highest mountain.

For Lisa, from Burbage, the trek was an opportunity to remember her late husband, Brian, who was cared for at the hospice in 2015.

“Brian was passionate about outdoor activities," she said.

"He was a keen surfer, runner, hill walker and a veteran of the Devizes to Westminster International Canoe Race. So it felt very fitting to take on Mont Blanc in his memory.”

Maliha, from Swindon, whose uncle received care through the charity’s Prospect@Home service, said: “When I stopped working full-time, I wanted to do something for a local charity. I volunteer at the hospice and I heard about the trek - I thought it would be a great way to mark my 50th. I managed to persuade my husband to join me too.”

Like Lisa, Maliha hadn’t previously undertaken a walk of this scale: “I only bought my first set of walking boots eight months before the trek, but I would definitely encourage everyone to do something like this – to push themselves by taking on a new challenge.”

Melanie, from Swindon, started fundraising for Prospect Hospice in memory of her grandfather, Stanley, who was also cared for by the Prospect@Home service after being diagnosed with terminal cancer.

“I want to give something back and raise awareness of the hospice, which has a huge impact on local people” said Melanie.

Having previously tackled the Eyjafjallajökull volcano in Iceland in aid of the hospice, climbing 5,417 feet over almost 12 hours, Melanie said: “Iceland really challenged me mentally and completing the trek gave me a huge amount of strength. I felt totally ready for Mont Blanc.”

All agreed that the views were the highlight of the trek, which took them into France, Italy and Switzerland: “The first day was the hardest – we trekked up to the highest point of the trip,” said Lisa. “But the view of the glaciers and mountains made it all worthwhile.”

The quartet, who hadn’t met prior to signing up for the hike, are now firm friends. “I will definitely stay in touch,” said Lisa. “We hit it off incredibly well. I’ve made some lasting friendships.”

Maliha too felt the adventure was truly memorable: “It was an emotional experience and everyone was amazing,” she said. “We all supported each other.”

All of the hikers are keen to get their walking boots back on soon. “I wouldn’t rule out another challenge like this” said Lisa.

Melanie has already signed up to climb Mount Kilimanjaro, the world’s tallest free-standing mountain, standing at 5,895 feet, in aid of the hospice.

“This is the ultimate challenge for me; I’ll be able to use everything I’ve learnt so far.”