A council boss is to swap her office for the Sahara desert on a four day charity adventure.

Joyce White, chief executive of West Dunbartonshire, is heading to Morocco on a fundraising hike for Children's Hospices Across Scotland (CHAS).

She will join other CHAS supporters on the challenge of a lifetime amid the the ever-changing landscape of the Sahara and attempt a climb of the massive Chegaga Dunes, where their reward will be to witness a breath taking desert sunrise.

With exactly a year to go before their departure, some of the team got together and used the opportunity to talk about what they were most looking forward to, why they are taking on the challenge, and to share fundraising and training hints and tips.

Joyce White, who is also chair of Chair of SOLACE (Society of Local Authority Chief Executives), said: “CHAS offers home from home support through its two hospices, one in my own council area in Balloch and another in Kinross.

"It also provides hospice services all over Scotland through CHAS at home, offering fun and games as well as respite and emotional support.

“My sense of adventure and the desire to help this wonderful charity means that this trek is right up my street. Being a Girl Guider, I'm really pleased to have the opportunity to make a difference and I hope in some small way our effort helps and motivates others to do their bit."

The good news is there is still time to sign up and join the adventure in Morocco next year, from 31 October to 5 November.

You pay a registration fee of £175 and agree to fundraise a minimum of £1,800.

Further information on CHAS is available at www.chas.org.uk

You can also follow them on on Twitter, @supportCHAS, and on Facebook, www.facebook.com/supportCHAS