VOLUNTEERS have smashed an incredible fundraising target after completing a mammoth ten day trek across Costa Rica for the Marie Curie Hospice in Penarth.

The aim was to raise £100,000 with the walk - but the group of 28 people have raised a huge £110,000.

The 56 mile trek took in five volcanoes and three waterfalls, with a total walking time of 32 hours.

One of the trekkers was Helene Cook, whose late husband was cared for at the hospice.

She was walking in memory of Adrian Cook, who died aged just 44 in February 2015 after being diagnosed with metastic melanoma.

The Costa Rica trek was something that really appealed to Mrs Cook's husband, she said. They had planned to do it together.

Mrs Cook said: "Adrian would have loved it. He was so fit. He would have been carrying us all. His inspiration lives on in me.

"Nothing ever came easy to Adrian, he had to fight for everything, and fight he did.

The walkers set off from the hospice on Marine Parade for Costa Rica on Friday April 1.

Friends Gemma Evans, Jackie Urwin and Lisa Taylor accompanied Mrs Cook, who added: "The trek was mentally, physically and emotionally challenging, but the team support was terrific and we all had a shoulder to lean on.

"I feel blessed to have met so many inspirational people all learning to live with what life has dealt them.

"It helped me to see that we have to appreciate living and to never forget how fortunate we are to be able to give something back."

The group climbed Cerro Chato volcano, involving a vertical climb over rocks and tree roots to 1,140 metres.

Mrs Cook added: "We really bonded because of the difficulty.

"Emotionally the fatigue brought remembrance and heightened my loss, but at the same time I felt I'd actually achieved something so incredible.

"I'd like to thank everybody who has supported me and contributed to my fund raising. I would encourage anybody to find the strength to sign up to a Marie Curie trek in the future because it has certainly given me a strength perhaps I never knew I had."

Paula Elson, manager at the Marie Curie Hospice, Cardiff and the Vale, said: “I’d like to personally thank each and every one of our trekkers for their fantastic efforts.

"The funds they have raised will help us continue to provide expert care, guidance and support for people living with a terminal illness, and their families.

"Last year the hospice’s dedicated doctors and nurses cared for more than 1,000 patients at a cost of £4.6 million.

"Quite simply, we would not be able to continue to provide our important services without the support of people like our intrepid trekkers.”

Georgina Burke, community fundraiser for the hospice, who joined Mrs Cook on the Costa Rica trek said: “We’re indebted to supporters like Helene who want to give something back and raise funds to support our work. This trek was one of our most popular treks to date, and the funds raised by our 28 trekkers will help support people living with a terminal illness, and their families, who access our services here in Penarth.”

Marie Curie is hosting an information evening for would-be walkers interested in taking part in the charity’s next fundraising trek to Sri Lanka in November 2017. The information event will be held at the Mint & Mustard restaurant on Windsor Terrace on Thursday, May 19 at 6.30pm.

To donate to the group's fundraising visit www.justgiving.com/helene-cook.