Early years support teacher returns from Sahara desert
North Ayrshire Council employee Lesley Campbell has returned victorious from an adventure of a lifetime.
Principal Teacher of the Early Years Inclusion Support team, Lesley, recently trekked through the Sahara Desert to raise over £6,000 for local charity Children’s Hospices Across Scotland (CHAS). Supporting a worthy cause close to her heart, Lesley was able to raise the funds thanks to the generosity of local people who kindly donated.
Lesley said: “I set off on the 5 March on a daunting four-day trek through the world’s largest - and one of the hottest - deserts. I teamed up with 15 others who trekked and camped alongside me, all raising money for CHAS.
“My colleagues, friends, family members and people I connect with via social media have been so unbelievably generous so far and I would like to share a huge thank you with them.
“CHAS is an incredible charity and over the past 33 years during my career in education, I have supported them and their worthy cause.”
During the pandemic Lesley turned 50 and didn’t manage to celebrate the milestone due to restrictions, however a challenge like this one was something that she longed to take on.
Training relentlessly over the past year to take on the challenge, she has now been able to score the Sahara desert trek off her ever-expanding bucket list.
Lucky for Lesley, her childhood friend Alison whom she grew up with in Saltcoats, but now lives in London, was also part of the unforgettable journey too. The challenge was gruelling for the two friends who had to endure scorching 30 degrees heat, challenging underfoot terrain and chilling night-time temperatures.
Lesley reflected: “We experienced highs and lows along the way. Downsides included no running water and a makeshift toilet, a ten-hour sandstorm and triple blisters on my pinkie toes. Ouch!
“But the highs were absolutely incredible, as together we experienced Morocco in such a unique way, appreciating the beauty and remoteness of the country and its stark contrasts
“Highlights for me included a snowball fight on top of the Atlas Mountains as we had unexpected snowfall, sleeping outside under the stars, morning yoga on the dunes, meeting other inspiring fundraisers on their own personal journey, and enjoying amazing Moroccan meals and mint tea prepared by our support team and guides.
Quote: The Sahara challenge has been very special and also very humbling. I have made some lovely new friendships and many, many beautiful memories which will last a lifetime. I will be forever grateful that I have been supported to do this trip by my family, closest friends and colleagues. Thank you to everyone for all of your support and generosity during this CHAS journey. I’ll cherish the experience forever.
Quote from: Lesley Campbell, Teacher in Local Early Years Support team
With an initial target of £1,000, Lesley’s fundraising kicked off with a Pink tribute night in August, followed by a race night in October, raising an incredible £3,500 towards the end of last year. In 2025 she then managed to reach her goal of £5,000 by putting on a Valentines Day Raffle and raising awareness via the council’s internal news channels and on social media, reaching a milestone of £6,300 as she took on the trip.
Depute Leader and Cabinet Member for Education and Young People, Councillor Shaun Macaulay, said: “On behalf of her colleagues and everyone here at North Ayrshire Council, I would like to share our gratitude and congratulations to Lesley for her tremendous efforts.
“Lesley’s fundraising total is now approaching £7,000 and with gift aid will be more that £8,000 once donated to CHAS. This sum will be added to the total raised from the whole group – a staggering £46,000 for children and families supported by CHAS. Well done to everyone involved on this fundraising adventure of a lifetime.”
If you would like to add to the fundraising total, contributions can still be made via the Just Giving webpage.
Published: 27 March 2025