EAST Cheshire Hospice supporters are invited to take part in a once-in-a-lifetime trip to the Grand Canyon to mark the 30th anniversary of the hospice.

The charity, which takes in Wilmslow, Handforth and Knutsford, is breaking new boundaries with its first overseas fundraising adventure from October 16 to 23.

The hike through one of the Grand Canyon's most breath-taking destinations will end with an overnight stop in Las Vegas.

Before then hospice supporters will enjoy a four-day exploration of a series of long-distance trails through the Havasupai reservation, a remote and tranquil setting away from the busy tourism of the Grand Canyon vistas.

The group will learn how to survive in the wild and even get the chance to jump into the Havasu Falls, one of several majestic waterfalls over 200 feet high.

An information evening is to be held at the hospice from 5.30pm on Thursday, January 25, when travel holidays experts will explain more.

Jo Boyd, events manager at the hospice, said: "It will be a challenge and experience of a lifetime, and we're hoping as many people as possible can join us for this exciting adventure.

"We wanted to offer something different to celebrate our 30th birthday, and carried out a vote on our Facebook page to find out what our supporters preferred, and the Grand Canyon came out on top.

“It's a bespoke trip which raises much-needed funds to care for our patients.

“There are three different options to pay for the challenge. All involve an initial registration fee of £300.

“People taking part then pledge to raise minimum sponsorship of £3,400, or choose to pay for the trip cost of £1,700 and then raise the remaining minimum sponsorship amount of £1,700, or pay a portion of the event cost you can manage, and then raise the rest needed to cover the remaining costs to make the minimum of £3,400.”

To find out more come along to the hospice chapel at Mill Bank Drive, Macclesfield, on January 25, contact Beth Candy at the hospice on bcandy@echospice.org.uk or call 01625 433477. Details are also available at eastcheshirehospice.org.uk/grandcanyon.