A GROUP of 33 trekkers have embarked on a 116km journey along the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage route in Spain to raise money for Nightingale House Hospice.

Bethan Scott, the challenge events coordinator, shared her thoughts on the Camino de Santiago trek, which set off on Saturday, 21st October.

She said: "The Camino is more than just a pilgrimage; it's a remarkable and unique experience. This will be a time for our incredible group to discover the unknown during their five-day trek. Over these five days, they will visit the beautiful Romanesque church in the village of Barbadelo, cross the Rio Miño, and pass through villages and peaceful hamlets before catching their first glimpse of the Santiago Cathedral."

Participants of the Camino de Santiago trek in aid of Nightingale House Hospice.

Participants of the Camino de Santiago trek in aid of Nightingale House Hospice.

Bethan added: "Everyone at Nightingale House Hospice is immensely grateful to this wonderful group for their incredible fundraising efforts to date. We wish them a safe and wonderful journey."

Over the last year, the group has generated funds through donations and other fundraising events such as coffee mornings and raffles. They've already raised over £70,000 for the local hospice and aim to reach £100,000 in total.

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Ben Hughes explained why his mum, Carole Hughes, signed up for the Camino de Santiago Challenge in support of Wrexham's Nightingale House Hospice: "We are incredibly proud of our mum. Undertaking the Camino trek on her own is a significant physical and emotional challenge.

Participants of the Camino de Santiago trek in aid of Nightingale House Hospice.

Participants of the Camino de Santiago trek in aid of Nightingale House Hospice.

"Our dad was the bedrock of our family, and his loss has left an enormous void in all our lives, but he would also be equally proud of the strength and courage that mum has demonstrated in everyday life and in everything she continues to achieve since.

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"It was magical to complete the Nightingale Inca Challenge together, mum and her boys, supporting each other and sharing laughter along the way. No words can truly capture what our family collectively gained from that trip. We just know that mum embarking on the Camino alone, though with great friends, will be immensely rewarding. As her boys, we're so pleased she's going.

Participants of the Camino de Santiago trek in aid of Nightingale House Hospice.

Participants of the Camino de Santiago trek in aid of Nightingale House Hospice.

"As a family, we're thrilled to have raised over £23,000 for the hospice in honour of our dad's legacy. This journey will continue with our older brother Richard also signing up for the Cuba trip in 2024."

If you would like to donate to the Camino Challenge, visit: justgiving.com/campaign/nhhcaminodesantiago

To find out more information about international challenges for Nightingale House, please email info@nightingalehouse.co.uk