A HEADINGTON woman will trek 50km along the Great Wall of China to raise money for Helen & Douglas House.

Nayaab Iqbal has signed up to take part in the journey, which has been organised by the East Oxford children’s hospice, in memory of her brother Haider.

Haider was born five weeks prematurely with a rare, life-threatening condition called Raine Syndrome.

Throughout his life, and following his death in December 2012, aged 12, the hospice supported Ms Iqbal and her family.

They have helped them through counselling, support groups and activity days and continue this even five years after his death.

The family first visited Helen House when Haider was eight-months-old. It was also the place where he took his last breath.

Ms Iqbal said: “I always look back at the times when I was younger and would play in the Helen House garden on the bikes, while Haider would sit cracking jokes with the staff and other children.

“He truly lived his life to the full, enjoying every moment and taking us on his incredible journey with him, with laughter, love and joy.

“On Haider’s last day Helen & Douglas House were so accommodating to our beliefs and made what was the hardest time for us somewhat better.”

The 21-year-old added: “They became like a second family and I can honestly say I don’t know what we would have done if it wasn’t for the support and care of the incredible staff at Helen & Douglas House.

“Although there were many downs in Haider’s health and our lives, there were also massive ups which are the memories that we cherish now and look back on and remember with so much love.”

Explaining her desire to take part in the China fundraiser, she said: “When Haider died everything suddenly seemed very empty without him and the past few years have been the hardest ever but Helen & Douglas House have helped us through this.

“I really want to take some time now to give back to Helen & Douglas House and everything they have done for us and I thought what better way than to jump straight in the deep end with trekking the Great Wall of China.

“I can picture Haider laughing at the thought of this already but I know he loved Helen & Douglas House and he would be so happy about this.”

Fundraising is even more important for the struggling hospice than ever before. The charity announced earlier this year it would need to close its adult provision at Douglas from August due to a lack of funds.

There are still a few places left on the trek, which will take place between October 27 and November 4. Anyone interested can visit hdh.org.uk to register.