Superstar Leprosy Mission employee Freya Irvine and her friend Sarah Jane Sauntson have completed a four-day expedition across one of the UK's most rugged and remote islands to help some of the world's most neglected people.

The intrepid mums were welcomed home by their families this week after raising almost £8,000 for The Leprosy Mission by trekking across the remote Isle of Rùm in Scotland's Inner Hebrides.

Carrying everything they needed on their backs, the pair crossed challenging terrain, tackling steep climbs, unpredictable weather and some of the most isolated landscapes in Britain.

Their adventure began with a nine-hour drive from Stamford to Mallaig on Scotland's west coast, followed by a 90-minute ferry crossing to Rùm, an island inhabited by just 30 residents.

Freya said the first day of the expedition "broke them in gently" as they walked 13 kilometres from the ferry terminal to Harris Bay on the island's south-west coast.

"Last Wednesday was a beautiful clear day on Rùm and we stopped for lunch at the community centre," she said. "What I didn't really grasp at the time was that these would be the only people we would see for several days.

"The residents gave us such a warm welcome and it was fascinating to learn about life on the island, including the weekly 'shop night'. We couldn't help wondering how our own children would cope living somewhere so remote.

"That first day we were walking on the only established path on the island, an old donkey track. After that, the challenge became much tougher as we crossed very rough terrain. So much concentration was needed just to put one foot in front of the other.

"The rain arrived and it was the last time we were properly dry for days. We were pitching our tent on boggy ground and, at times, the wind was so strong that the only thing stopping the tent from blowing away was the fact that we were inside it.

"There were moments when the visibility was so poor that we could hear the sea but couldn't see it."

One of the toughest parts of the challenge was reaching Askival, the highest peak on Rùm at 2,664 feet.

"We really faced any fear of heights we may have had," Freya said. "There were sheer drops on either side and it was mentally and physically demanding. But whenever the clouds lifted, we were rewarded with breathtaking views across the island and wonderful sightings of wild ponies and deer.

"By the time we reached the inhabited part of the island again, it was quite a culture shock to see other people. And to finally reach Glasgow on Sunday, have a shower and sleep in a bed was such a treat."

The two friends, who attend St George's Church in Stamford, were inspired to undertake the challenge to support The Leprosy Mission's life-changing work with people affected by leprosy across Asia and Africa.

"Walking across Rùm was a challenge we chose to do," said Freya. "But for millions of people around the world, long daily journeys are not optional; they are a necessity for survival.

"In many of the communities where The Leprosy Mission works, people walk long distances to collect water, reach health posts or access basic services. This trek was a reminder of those realities and an opportunity to stand alongside people facing much greater challenges every day."

The pair's fundraising total of almost £8,000 will help support The Leprosy Mission's work to provide healthcare, disability support, rehabilitation and opportunities for people affected by leprosy and poverty across Asia and Africa.