Kathy Bevan swaps Truro phone lines for 100km of Sahara sand

By the middle of next week, Kathy Bevan will be somewhere out in the Sahara, a long way from the quiet room in Truro where she usually sits and listens.

Kathy, a Listening Volunteer with Samaritans of Cornwall at Truro, sets off this Saturday (14 November) on a 100km trek across the Sahara Desert. She will cover the distance over five days to raise sponsorship for the charity.

24 walkers, 13 branches

She is one of 24 walkers who have come together in a special collaboration for the challenge. The money they raise will be shared equally across 13 Samaritans branches that make up the network of support in the South West, covering Cornwall, Devon, Somerset, Bristol, Bath and everywhere in between.

Kathy, her son Caleb and two other walkers are raising funds specifically for the Cornwall branch in Truro. They have already reached nearly £10,000, and hope to raise more as the challenge unfolds.

What the walkers are up against

From 14 to 21 November, the group will face seven to eight hours of trekking a day, covering 17 to 25km each time. The route crosses desert plateaus and undulating sand dunes, with hard, rocky ground and hot sand to punish their feet.

Overnight camping is very basic and exposed to desert winds. Daytime temperatures will be exhausting and nights will drop to freezing. Unusual weather patterns, wildlife and the differing strengths and abilities of the group will all play a part too.

“How will we cope?”

Kathy explains why she signed up:

“The Sahara Challenge was simply an irresistible adventure! To share this adventure with fellow volunteers, facing the challenges of climate, terrain, basic accommodation and long hours of walking, will be an experience in itself. I suspect there will be plenty of moments when we wonder what on earth we have signed up for, but that’s all part of the adventure! How will we cope? I can’t wait to find out…”

Listening since 2019

Kathy has volunteered with Truro Samaritans since the beginning of 2019.

“I have learnt so much through the training and, more importantly, from listening to callers. Making a connection with someone, knowing only what they have chosen to trust you with, is a remarkable thing. If giving just a few moments of my time can support someone through their darkest hour, then that is time very well spent.”

She added that she is constantly humbled by the work of her fellow volunteers, from the hours spent on the phones to all the commitment and effort that goes into keeping the small regional branches going.

What the money will do

Annie Terrey, Co-Director of Samaritans of Cornwall at Truro, said:

“Cornwall Samaritans is an independently registered local charity, run entirely by volunteers, feeding into a national network of Samaritans to provide emotional support to people who are struggling to cope, including those who may be experiencing suicidal thoughts. Each year the South West region responds to thousands of people seeking emotional support by phone and online, feeding into a national network where the first available Samaritan responds.”

The branches also reach many thousands of people each year through proactive work in the community, raising awareness of Samaritans and helping people know where to find support when they need it.

“This event will help generate vital funds to support the continued operation of our branch and enable our volunteers to continue being there for people across the South West.”

Follow the trek and donate

You can follow the Samaritans (South West) Sahara Challenge in the lead-up and during the walk on Facebook, Instagram and X using #SamaritansSWSaharaChallenge.

To find out more about Kathy and her team, or to donate specifically to Cornwall Samaritans, visit the team’s fundraising page.

From Lisbon to Santiago

This is not Kathy’s first long walk. In 2024, following the loss of her mum and her best friend, she fulfilled a long-held and rather daunting dream of walking one of the Caminos, choosing the 675km route from Lisbon to Santiago de Compostela over the course of a month.

“It was very much a personal journey, although I was persuaded to raise a few pounds for Truro Samaritans along the way. There were many days when I walked alone, through villages, forests and along quiet roads, with plenty of time for reflection. I felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude for the support I have around me, from my wonderful family and my incredible friends. It also brought home to me, more than ever, the importance of the work Samaritans does in ‘walking alongside’ so many people who feel they have no one.”

📷Kathy Bevan, Listening Volunteer and Sahara Challenge Walker for Cornwall Samaritans.