Three hospice supporters will set off on a life-changing adventure this week to trek the Great Wall of China.
The team includes two hospice nurses, Michelle Russell and Amy Boadey, and the daughter of a former hospice patient, Jo Yabsley.
The team started training back in January and have all been busy since then raising thousands of pounds for the hospice.
The team will fly to Beijing on Thursday 12th September to begin their epic challenge, which will see them trekking for nine days along the Great Wall, famously one of the seven wonders of the world.
Jo, a 53 year old mental health nurse, lost her mum, Janet, to cancer in 2016. Janet spent her final three weeks at the hospice and, according to Jo, this was a very special time for her family.
She said: “St. Joseph’s Hospice was the perfect place for the short time mum had left. It was a warm and positive environment and the support and care that mum, and the rest of our family, received was incredible. This allowed dad to enjoy time with her being a husband again and not a carer.
“When my daughter told me about the China Trek back in December, she said: “Mum, you should do this”. I have been up to my eyes in training and fundraising and have loved every minute of it! I am determined to succeed on this wonderful life adventure, even with my dodgy knees.”
Hospice nurses, Amy and Michelle, said: “We have really enjoyed this fundraising challenge and have held all sorts of events and activities over the last few months to raise money. Everyone has been so generous but the challenge now lies ahead in the trek itself and we are all incredibly excited to get going.”
Norma Young, head of fundraising, said: “Our China Trek team has been determined from the start. They are all so passionate about the hospice and have dedicated themselves this year to fundraising in whatever way they can.
“We are so proud of them all and wish them all the very best for their trip. We will be following their progress and sending them lots of positive messages of support throughout their trek. Most of all, we hope they have an amazing time.”
To make a donation, please visit their fundraising pages:
Michelle and Amy - https://wonderful.org/fundraiser/charitychinatrek-439112b6
Jo - https://wonderful.org/fundraiser/greatwallofchinatrek-01a525f8
