Trekking the Great Wall will help support hospice work

Donna Bothamley, a veteran of the Two Castles 10k runs which are sponsored by her firm Blythe Liggins, and a keen Myton fundraiser, will take up the challenge in May next year.

Only a few sections of the Great Wall are still open to the public but this 36km trek over five days will allow Donna and others to access parts of the historic structure that not many people are lucky enough to see.

Donna, head of wills and probate at Leamington based Blythe Liggins, said: “Few people are given the opportunity to walk along the lesser-seen parts of the wall so I didn’t hesitate to sign up when I heard about it.”

Rebecca Richards, Myton’s challenge events co-ordinator, said the trek would take them over watchtowers and mountains and through historic battlements that are well off the tourist trail.

She added: “There are sections where they will feel that the Great Wall is only for them, with no-one else in sight. They will also take part in lending a hand to repair a section of the wall which is currently being reconstructed. They will be able to lay a brick ‘in memory’ ensuring that they will have a place on one of the ‘modern’ Seven Wonders of the World forever.”

After the trek, participants will visit the Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square in Beijing.

The charity is hoping to raise £42,000, enough to keep the Inpatient Unit running for seven days, and Blythe Liggins is paying all Donna’s expenses so that every penny of her sponsorship goes to the hospice.

Visit www.mytonhospice.org for details. Donate at www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Donna-Bothamley1