A ‘HUMBLED’ charity worker is stepping out from behind the scenes to trek 50km along the Great Wall of China in aid of Helen and Douglas House.
Fundraising manager Lucy Walker, from Bicester, spends her time managing the fundraising efforts of others and working with staff, volunteers and families at the East Oxford charity.
But Mrs Walker is now stepping into the limelight to take on her own challenge of trekking part of the longest human-made structure on the planet to raise funds for the hospice.
She said: “I have worked for Helen and Douglas coming up to a year now as fundraising manager, so I work a lot with our families, volunteers and care team.
“I’ve been blown away by what they do. I work with families who still want to fundraise for us with all that they are going through. It’s so humbling.”
Mrs Walker is among a team of trekkers who will tackle the 50km route along the wall, which is located in the north of China and crosses deserts, plains and snow-capped mountains.
The challenge will take five days in October and Mrs Walker hopes to raise up to £4,000.
The 27-year-old is currently in training and going to the gym three times a week, tacking regular long walks including steep hills and is trying to lose weight before heading out in October.
She added: “I have been focusing so much on my fundraising efforts I haven’t thought too much about the trek, so I am feeling good about it.
“Although talking more about it does make me feel slightly nervous.
“People have been shocked when they find out what I’m doing because I’ve never done anything like this before and I’m not very outdoorsy.
“But everyone is really supportive and everyone at work has been cheering me on.”
Mrs Walker has already raised £1,500 and will hold a fundraising clothes sale at the King’s Arms in Bicester on March 26.
She already has 30 black sacks full of donations to sell at the event from 11am to 4pm.
For more details see facebook.com/events/1767470306631326 or to donate see justgiving.com/fundraising/china2018
Earlier this year the charity revealed it would be forced to close adult provision at Douglas House from August due to a lack of funds.
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