TWO mums will take on the gruelling heat of the Sahara Desert later this year to raise money for cancer nurses.

Alli Croft and Sophie Bashall, both 48, will trek across the world’s hottest desert in the first week of November in aid of Marie Curie Cancer Care.

Friends Alli, from Clitheroe, and Sophie, from Thornley, are aiming to raise at least £4,000 each and will be accompanied by a qualified medic and trek leader during the seven-day challenge.

They will face temperatures ranging from 25 to 40 degrees during the day.

Mum-of-two Alli said: “I have been a fundraiser for Marie Curie for a couple of years and I wanted to do the trek because I felt I would be more use trying to raise bigger chunks of money and therefore more successful for the charity.

“Close members of our family have died through this dreaded disease so I therefore made it my mission to help fight the cancer battle.

“Sophie is full of enthusiasm and a very much a ‘cup half full’ with her attitude to life in general, and definitely full of fun. She’s an ideal buddy to share the experience.

“It's a fabulous opportunity to raise the necessary funds that keep Marie Curie helping terminally ill patients.

“This makes it a worthwhile cause to push are personal boundaries both mentally and physically.”

Sophie, who has three children, said: “This challenge is going to be extremely tough for us, neither of us have ever done anything like this before.

“Some of the dunes will be greater than the height of Pendle Hill.

“There will be no cold drinks, no toilets, no showers and extreme temperatures. But it’s all for an extremely worthwhile cause that we really want to support.”

To help raise the funds for the trek they have organised a Midsummer Ball on June 13, at The Inn at Whitewell near Clitheroe.

The event includes a four-course dinner, pre-dinner drinks and entertainment until midnight.

For more information call Sophie on 07734 963443 or Alli on 07855 413277. Sponsor them by visiting: www.justgiving. com/teams/AlliandSophie.