A NETWORK coordinator for Dorset’s most well-known family-owned tourism company is to embark on a gruelling 100km trek through one of the world's most inhospitable regions, to raise money for Diverse Abilities.

Alice Smee, who works for Hoburne Holidays, will spend five days trekking through the Sahara Desert in Morocco, where temperatures could reach highs of more than 40C.

She volunteered to take part in the epic charity challenge to help raise as much money as she can for the Dorset's disability charity, and to also mark her 60th birthday.

Alice said: "I signed up because this year I will celebrate turning 60, and I needed a challenge that will push me out of my comfort zone.

“The heat is going to play a big part, and we will basically be in the middle of the desert with no facilities around us at all.

When she lands in Casablanca, Alice will travel through the mountain range in Southern Morocco to her starting point in the desert.

Alice has undertaken an intensive training programme but admits it is going to be difficult to prepare for the heat.

“It will be long old days and hard work on the body walking through deep sand but fortunately, we will have a support team who will make sure we don't get lost in the dizzying heat.”

"I've been upping my walking around the Dorset coastline and I normally cycle or swim at least three times a week, so I've got a good baseline of fitness," she said.

Hoburne Group Support and Hoburne Park in Christchurch are supporting Diverse Abilities as their nominated charity of the year, with staff organising various fundraising initiatives including bake sales, car washes and quiz nights. To date, Hoburne has raised more than £5,000 for the Dorset charity.

Commenting on Alice’s charity trek, Hoburne chairman, Rosie Kennar said: “I have known Alice for a long time, and this challenge is very much out of her comfort zone.

“We are all incredibly proud of her and the training she is undertaking. We wish her all the best, and we are very grateful to everyone that is donating to such a wonderful cause.”