A CHARD woman is set to take on an oriental expedition when she walks 55km along the Great Wall of China inspired by her sister’s battle with cancer.

Stephanie Mitchell will be travelling to Beijing in October to take on the sponsored walk raising money for St Margaret’s Hospice.

Mrs Mitchell’s sister, Heather, lost her battle with cancer just over four years ago.

Stephanie said: “2017 is my 60th year, and, four years on from when Heather died, I want to spend it honouring her memory in a practical way.

“I am planning a year of fundraising for St Margaret’s Hospice culminating in walking the Great Wall of China in October, which I am in training for.

“I will be sending out sponsor forms, setting up a giving page, doing craft sales, car boot sales, and coffee mornings over the course of the year.

“I would greatly appreciate any support in raising money for this valuable service. My sister received amazing care at the hospice during the last few weeks of her life, and for us, a family in turmoil, it was a source of strength, dignity and calm at the most devastating time.”

Mrs Mitchell is leaving UK on October 15 and due back on October 25. She is travelling and walking with a team of three other friends, who are raising money for Children’s Hospice South West.

She added: “The walk is from Beijing to Beijing in a loop, staying at different farmer’s houses on route at Huairou, Jiankou, Gubeikou, Jinshanling, Simatai.

“We have a free day in Beijing at both ends of the trek, so will be spending six days on the wall, covering around 55km.

“The numerous steps are the challenge, with much of the wall very uneven and in a poor state of repair. I have a stepper I use regularly to try and prepare for it.

“More than four years on and it is still hard to talk about Heather. She was a beautiful, kind, inspirational person with a gift of making everyone feel special. We miss her so much.

“During the final weeks of her battle with cancer she spent a short time in Musgrove, before being transferred to the hospice. I visited her regularly and was always given lunch with all the residents.

“Heather remained in good spirits, her symptoms were controlled with her medication increased when needed, and we rarely saw her uncomfortable or in pain, which would have been very hard to bear.

“The rest of our family live in Wales, and on one occasion when they all visited together, the hospice cooked for 14 of us. Heather wouldn’t be at all surprised at my fundraising efforts.

“My sons, Darren, Stephen, David, Philip and Timothy, are paying for the actual trip so that every penny raised will go to St Margaret’s care.”

To support Stephanie’s fundraising efforts, visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Stephanie-Mitchell4.