Tavistock family reaches new milestone ahead of Sahara charity challenge
Team Darcy, led by West Devon parents Michael and Debbie Hollinson, has completed another key step in preparations for a demanding Sahara Desert trek raising funds for suicide prevention charity PAPYRUS
A West Devon family preparing to trek 100km across the Sahara Desert in memory of their daughter Darcy have completed another milestone in their fundraising journey.
Michael and Debbie Hollinson, from Tavistock, were joined by members of Team Darcy for a training walk around the Isle of Portland as preparations continue for their major challenge later this year.
The group completed the 15km coastal route, taking in Portland Bill and other landmarks along the Dorset coastline.
Sharing an update after the walk, Debbie Hollinson said: "We had a few drop out so we were only half a team unfortunately, but we walked the 15km route of the Isle of Portland.
"Spectacular scenery, handing out leaflets and having some meaningful conversations with people we met and who walked with us."
The training event forms part of preparations for Team Darcy's planned 100km trek across the Sahara Desert in Morocco in November.
The challenge aims to raise £100,000 for PAPYRUS Prevention of Young Suicide, a charity supporting young people in crisis and working to prevent suicide among children and young adults.
At the time of writing, the campaign had raised more than £16,300 from 333 supporters.
Darcy Hollinson was 17 when she died by suicide in 2021.
Since then, her family has undertaken a series of fundraising challenges in her memory, raising tens of thousands of pounds for mental health and suicide prevention charities.
The upcoming Sahara trek holds particular significance for the family.
One of Darcy's last holidays with her father Michael was a trip to Morocco to celebrate her 16th birthday.
Writing on their fundraising page, the family said: "This journey is a tribute to Darcy and a message to the world that even in the harshest desert, a way forward can still be found."
The five-day Sahara challenge will take participants through Morocco's desert landscape of dunes, gorges and oases later this year.
For more details of the family’s trek and to donate go to: Team Darcy – 100km Across the Sahara Desert is fundraising for PAPYRUS Prevention of Young Suicide.