HOSPICE supporters are trekking through a wintery wilderness in memory of their loved ones.

A group of fundraisers for St Helena Hospice are facing average temperatures of minus four degrees as they traverse the forest landscapes of the Carpathian Mountains in Transylvania in Romania.

The five-day challenge will push them to their limits but they will raise thousand of pounds for the charity in the process.

Mother and daughter Suzanne and Katie Quinn, from Colchester, are taking part in the event in memory of husband and father Sean.

Sean died last year aged 48 after receiving end of life care at the hospice.

Suzanne said: “The care given to Sean and to us before he went in, over the two months he was there and since has been invaluable.

“We were looked after as a family, our extended families and friends were always welcome and the staff ensured not only was Sean well cared for but, our daughter Katie was able to carry on studying for her GCSEs knowing he was in a safe place.

“Sadly nothing can bring Sean back, so all Katie and I can do is to help raise funds to support others going through the most difficult times.”

The Transylvania trek will take fundraisers across snowy forests and wild mountains reaching heights of up to 2,034 metres.

The journey, which takes them from Lake Balea to the Cindrel Mountains, will require the use of snow shoes and could see trekkers facing temperatures of -10 degrees.

Suzanne said: “The costs of running the hospice increase each year and we want to ensure all the extra things they provide like state-of-the-art beds, books for parents to record stories for their children and counselling for the patients and their families don’t disappear.

“Although the trek is going to be a tough challenge emotionally and physically, we do it knowing how vital the fundraising is and it will also allow Katie and I to make some new memories knowing how proud Sean would be of us.”

Challenges fundraiser Sarah Phillips added: “They’ve been training for this trek for months and each of them has already raised a great deal in sponsorship and the donations are still coming in.”

Follow the group’s progress on Twitter by following @sthelenahospice.

Visit justgiving.com/fundraising/tmqsueandkatie.