We're excited to announce the return of The Great Pendleside Trek, a 35-mile circular endurance event, taking place on Saturday, 7th September.

Starting and finishing at Pendleside Hospice, the trek will take in some of Burnley and Pendle’s most stunning countryside, including the iconic Pendle Hill and segments of the scenic Pendle Way. Participants can choose to walk or run the route, with walkers setting off at 6am and runners at 8am. The challenge is open to everyone, with the flexibility to complete the full 35-mile route or finish at designated aid stations positioned along the way at 13 miles (Barley) or 21 miles (Laneshawbridge).

Daniel and Laura Vickery, a husband-and-wife duo from Trawden, are among those taking on the trek this year. With deep personal connections to Pendleside Hospice, they are eager to raise funds and awareness of the essential services the Hospice provides.

“We love to go out walking and spend many of our weekends outdoors, so to do something we love whilst raising money for such a worthy cause is a great opportunity. It will also be the longest trek we have attempted and we like a challenge!” shared Daniel. The couple has been training regularly, often accompanied by their two children, and have already explored parts of the route in preparation. Laura added, “We’re so fortunate to live in such a beautiful rural area with lots of places to explore, so we have no excuse not to get out there and enjoy it!”

For Daniel, the trek is a tribute to his late mother Michelle, who spent some time in the Hospice in 2007, while facing secondary breast cancer. Daniel adds, “The care she received at Pendleside helped control her pain, allowing her to enjoy one last holiday in Tenerife before she passed away. Pendleside made an immense difference to our entire family during a very difficult time.” 

Laura’s connection to Pendleside is equally heartfelt. Her nana, Vicky, spent her last few weeks at the Hospice in January 2010 after a challenging hospital stay. “Not only was my nana living with cancer, but she had also suffered a fall, requiring an emergency hip operation. My mum contacted Pendleside for help, and they stepped in right away. The Hospice treated my nana with such dignity, and it was comforting for us all to see her happy and at peace during the end of her life,” Laura recalled. “My grandad, John, said, ‘If I ever become this unwell, I want to come here!’ Twelve years later, during the pandemic, he was fortunate to receive the same 5-star treatment. We don’t know what we would have done without Pendleside, but it’s a blessing to us that they both received the best care during the final weeks and days of their lives.”

The Vickerys are trekking not only in memory of their loved ones but to give back to the Hospice that has given so much to their family. “We know they would think we are crazy for taking on this challenge, but they would be extremely proud that we are raising money for such a fantastic charity,” they said. Their advice to anyone considering the trek is simple, “Do something that steps you out of your comfort zone! Although it will be a huge challenge, it’ll be a great day out with like-minded people, who are all doing it to raise money for a worthy cause.”

We rely heavily on fundraising events like The Great Pendleside Trek, and the generosity and support of our participants, supporters and donors. If this sounds like the type of challenge for you, we encourage you to take part!

Those involved in trek will enjoy a well-supported route, with help from The Sunnywood Project, and includes six aid stations approximately 5-7 miles apart. Each station will have staff and volunteers to assist and ensure everyone’s safety and wellbeing. Although the event is not a race and will not be timed, participants can track their progress using apps like Strava or a fitness watch. 

We're also proud to have headline sponsor, VEKA, who are based in Burnley, for this year’s trek, which will help immensely with the set-up and running costs of the event. 

If you would like to sponsor Laura and Daniel on their incredible challenge, head on over to their JustGiving page.

Learn more or sign up to The Great Pendleside Trek today.