INTREPID trekkers completed the gruelling Sandstone Trail in one day - in memory of their colleague.

Staff from Essential Cuisine have so far raised £2,800 for St Luke’s Hospice where Paul Bailey was cared for until he sadly died earlier this year.

A team of 20 employees from food manufacturer on Browning Way, set off at dawn on Saturday to tackle their epic journey.

Lucy Wright, the company’s brand manager, said: “Lots of sore feet, ankles and legs, but we are all so proud of what we’ve achieved!

“Twenty of us took part in the event which saw us starting at 5.30am and completing the 34 miles at around 10pm, with everyone pushing themselves as far as they could co and some managing the whole trek.”

The walk from Whitchurch in rural Shropshire to Frodsham took the group through fields, forests and a few wrong turns.

But the team was determined not to give up.

They hope to beat the sum raised from last year’s charity challenge which saw 21 workers tackle torrential rain and high winds to climb 2,560 feet up Snowdon, the highest mountain in Wales.

Around 70 staff work at the site on Woodford Park Industrial Estate which was acquired by the Solina Group in May this year.

The factory produces and sells stocks, sauces and gravies to the food service and manufacturing industries.

Staff lost fellow employee Paul Bailey who joined the production team in May 2015, to cancer.

Lucy added: “In March, our colleague Paul Bailey was admitted to St Luke;s Hospice where he received fantastic care and support.

“He sadly lost his fight with cancer and with this heavy in our minds, Team Essential were ever more determined to push ourselves further and raise money to enable St Luke’s to continue the fantastic work they do.

“We hope to smash our fundraising target with the help of the local community and Guardian readers.”

To donate visit justgiving.com/fundraising/essential-cuisine1.