A TEAM of four who trekked a part of the Sahara has boosted our One in Eight appeal with the biggest single donation received yet of £13,500.

And there is still more money to come in from the fundraising team who trekked 120km of the Sahara desert in North Africa to raise money for our appeal for the Hereford Haven.

Nikki Mason, Tracy Mayo, Mark Bevan and Jerry Cowdery from Acre Accountancy Limited in Hereford were out of the country from November 7 to November 16 and originally had a fundraising target of £10,000.

They were joined on the trek by other fundraisers for The Haven, which supports people with breast cancer.

Nikki said: "It was amazing. Quite a few of the ladies on the trek had used the Haven. Listening to them and their stories was very humbling.

"One of them had only finished their treatment 12 months ago."

The Hereford Times launched the One in Eight appeal in July to raise £30,000 to pay for a breast cancer nurse for the centre in St Owen Street. The target was reached by October with the help of a generous donation from The Merry Millers of £13,111.

This spurred us on to raise the fundraising total to £60,000 and now this second large donation has pushed us nearer the £50,000 mark.

Tracy said the peace and quiet in the desert was amazing and they also slept under the stars.

She added: "The first couple of days we had quite a nice breeze. Then the last few days it was very still- it felt hot."

The longest day trekking was eight and a half hours and they added 20km onto their mileage as they walked two extra half days.

The £13,500 does not include gift aid.

Nikki added: "It is fantastic. We had a target of £10,000 so to go over that is amazing. We have had so many people say to us about the good work The Haven do."

Our fundraising total now stands around the £48,000 mark.

The Hereford Haven Christmas Concert is on Wednesday, December 2 at St Peter's Church in Hereford at 7pm.

The Hereford Soul Choir and guitar and flute duo Icaris will be performing.

Tickets are £7.50 from The Haven, 37 St Owen Street, Hereford or you can book and pay by phone on 01432 361050.