Mount Toubkal Trek 16 – 20 May 2026 for Arthur Rank Hospice
David Ousby
My Story
🏔️ Trekking for Arthur Rank Hospice – Every Step in Support of Compassionate Care
In May 2026, I’ll be taking on the challenge of trekking to the summit of Mount Toubkal in Morocco — the highest mountain in North Africa.
I'm funding the trip myself, so every penny raised here goes to the Arthur Rank Hospice - none of it goes on the costs of the trip!
This five-day adventure includes three demanding days of trekking, covering steep and rocky terrain for up to eight hours a day, and camping on the mountain. It will be tough — but it’s nothing compared to the strength shown by the patients and families supported by Arthur Rank Hospice.
💚 Why Arthur Rank Hospice Matters More Than Ever
Arthur Rank Hospice provides vital care and support to people in Cambridgeshire living with advanced or life-limiting illness — and not just to the patients themselves, but their families too. Through counselling, therapy, in-home nursing, and day-treatment services, they offer a dignity and compassion that makes a real, lasting difference.
That level of care became deeply personal for me. When we went through a very difficult time, Arthur Rank Hospice stepped in. Their emotional and counselling support helped us navigate grief and fear, and made a profound difference in our healing journey.
⚠️ The Crisis They’re Facing & Why Your Support Matters
Right now, hospices across England are under severe financial strain — despite being more essential than ever. According to Hospice UK, 57% of hospices ended their most recent financial year in deficit.
The Battle at Arthur Rank Hospice Earlier this year, Arthur Rank Hospice faced a devastating threat: the NHS announced a withdrawal of £829,000 in annual funding. The initial plan was to slash inpatient bed capacity from 21 to just 12, which would have denied care to approximately 200 people a year.
But here is the good news: Because of an urgent public outcry and a massive community fundraising effort, the hospice successfully raised the full amount of the cut. Thanks to donors like you, nine of the threatened beds were saved, and the reduction to 12 beds was prevented for the time being.
Why We Still Need You While this was a major victory, the underlying financial model remains broken.
- The Threat Returns: Raising £800k+ in a few months is an emergency fix, not a sustainable solution. The hospice cannot rely on constant crisis fundraising to replace core government funding.
- Rising Demand: The need for palliative and end-of-life care is increasing, yet fewer than a third of hospice costs are covered by government funding.
- Systemic Gaps: The £100 million capital boost announced in late 2024 helps with buildings, but it does not cover the day-to-day operational costs of nursing staff, medication, and care.
Hospice UK is calling for deep systemic reform to secure "fair funding." Until then, charities like Arthur Rank must bridge the gap. My trek of Mount Toubkal is dedicated to helping them build a buffer against future shocks, ensuring that when the next funding cut looms, they don't have to choose between closing beds and saving lives.
Your donation today isn't just about replacing a cut; it's about securing the future stability of care for our community
💷 Why Your Donation Matters — Now More Than Ever
Arthur Rank Hospice needs our help not just to maintain its services, but to protect them from being cut. With recent funding shortfalls, every pound donated is even more critical.
Here’s how your support helps:
-
£35 = a counselling session for a patient or their loved one
-
£180 = one day of community nursing care
-
£1,700 = a full Living Well therapy programme for a patient
My goal remains to raise £900 - but in light of these funding cuts, that feels even more urgent.
⛰️ One Summit. One Cause. Every Step Counts.
By supporting my trek, you’re not just funding a challenge — you’re standing with Arthur Rank Hospice in a moment of real risk. Your gift helps ensure that people who need end-of-life care, and their families, continue to receive the kindness, professionalism, and dignity that Arthur Rank Hospice provides.
Thank you so much for your support — it means more than you know.
David
-
Target
£900
-
Raised so far
£1,109
-
Number of donors
30
My Story
🏔️ Trekking for Arthur Rank Hospice – Every Step in Support of Compassionate Care
In May 2026, I’ll be taking on the challenge of trekking to the summit of Mount Toubkal in Morocco — the highest mountain in North Africa.
I'm funding the trip myself, so every penny raised here goes to the Arthur Rank Hospice - none of it goes on the costs of the trip!
This five-day adventure includes three demanding days of trekking, covering steep and rocky terrain for up to eight hours a day, and camping on the mountain. It will be tough — but it’s nothing compared to the strength shown by the patients and families supported by Arthur Rank Hospice.
💚 Why Arthur Rank Hospice Matters More Than Ever
Arthur Rank Hospice provides vital care and support to people in Cambridgeshire living with advanced or life-limiting illness — and not just to the patients themselves, but their families too. Through counselling, therapy, in-home nursing, and day-treatment services, they offer a dignity and compassion that makes a real, lasting difference.
That level of care became deeply personal for me. When we went through a very difficult time, Arthur Rank Hospice stepped in. Their emotional and counselling support helped us navigate grief and fear, and made a profound difference in our healing journey.
⚠️ The Crisis They’re Facing & Why Your Support Matters
Right now, hospices across England are under severe financial strain — despite being more essential than ever. According to Hospice UK, 57% of hospices ended their most recent financial year in deficit.
The Battle at Arthur Rank Hospice Earlier this year, Arthur Rank Hospice faced a devastating threat: the NHS announced a withdrawal of £829,000 in annual funding. The initial plan was to slash inpatient bed capacity from 21 to just 12, which would have denied care to approximately 200 people a year.
But here is the good news: Because of an urgent public outcry and a massive community fundraising effort, the hospice successfully raised the full amount of the cut. Thanks to donors like you, nine of the threatened beds were saved, and the reduction to 12 beds was prevented for the time being.
Why We Still Need You While this was a major victory, the underlying financial model remains broken.
- The Threat Returns: Raising £800k+ in a few months is an emergency fix, not a sustainable solution. The hospice cannot rely on constant crisis fundraising to replace core government funding.
- Rising Demand: The need for palliative and end-of-life care is increasing, yet fewer than a third of hospice costs are covered by government funding.
- Systemic Gaps: The £100 million capital boost announced in late 2024 helps with buildings, but it does not cover the day-to-day operational costs of nursing staff, medication, and care.
Hospice UK is calling for deep systemic reform to secure "fair funding." Until then, charities like Arthur Rank must bridge the gap. My trek of Mount Toubkal is dedicated to helping them build a buffer against future shocks, ensuring that when the next funding cut looms, they don't have to choose between closing beds and saving lives.
Your donation today isn't just about replacing a cut; it's about securing the future stability of care for our community
💷 Why Your Donation Matters — Now More Than Ever
Arthur Rank Hospice needs our help not just to maintain its services, but to protect them from being cut. With recent funding shortfalls, every pound donated is even more critical.
Here’s how your support helps:
-
£35 = a counselling session for a patient or their loved one
-
£180 = one day of community nursing care
-
£1,700 = a full Living Well therapy programme for a patient
My goal remains to raise £900 - but in light of these funding cuts, that feels even more urgent.
⛰️ One Summit. One Cause. Every Step Counts.
By supporting my trek, you’re not just funding a challenge — you’re standing with Arthur Rank Hospice in a moment of real risk. Your gift helps ensure that people who need end-of-life care, and their families, continue to receive the kindness, professionalism, and dignity that Arthur Rank Hospice provides.
Thank you so much for your support — it means more than you know.
David
