A Royston creative director has raised an impressive £10,000 by trekking through snow in Iceland for the hospital that helped save her daughter’s life.

Sarah Kralj-Durkin, who works at C4B Media in Baldock Street, took on the mission to raise dosh for Great Ormond Street Hospital Children’s Charity, to give thanks for the care her five-year-old daughter Cerys received.

The youngster was born with a condition that meant only half her heart worked.

Sarah said: “It was a challenge – walking over 85kms mostly through snow – but it had been a personal goal from the day that Cerys was in hospital.”

Sarah wasn’t alone, she set off with friend Julie Rhodes and the pair met seven other women at the airport who were taking part in the hike. Sarah said: “The team camaraderie was amazing and helped us get through the trek each day, together with the thought of Cerys. I felt really privileged to be doing it.”

It wasn’t so much a case of easing into the trip gently, on the first day the team walked for a total of 30km through snow and ice.

They set off at 9am and didn’t reach the first stop until 10.30pm.

Tensions heightened during the trek when the team reached the glacier and were caught in a snow blizzard so they could hardly see where they were going.

Sarah added: “Throughout the walk there were challenges – taking boots off in the bitter cold to go through freezing water, walking over volcanos, setting up a tent and somewhere to sleep after a days trek.

“Alongside that there was the added worry that on certain parts of the trek we were told there was no way we could be rescued.

“When we did the 30km walk we were told that we had to get to the meeting point as the car taking the supplies had to drive 250kms round and would not be able to rescue anyone in the part we were trekking.”

The women ate soup and lamb during the journey and stayed in tents and huts.

Although it was a tough slog, at every turn there was amazing scenery along the route for the tired team to marvel at.

To donate to Sarah’s challenge, visit www.justgiving.com/Cerys-Durkin.