Think of a fundraising event and the first things that come to mind are raffles, tombolas and jumble sales. A trek along the Great Wall of China is something totally different. RUSSELL COTMAN spoke to St Clare Hospice fundraising assistant Caroline Bore about the latest money spinner

THERE are many ways of raising money for charity but few can be as enjoyable or challenging as a sponsored walk along the Great Wall of China.

And 18 intrepid St Clare Hospice volunteers did exactly that, to help keep the Hastingwood charity going strong.

The group, including hospice fundraising assistant Caroline Bore and director of nursing Miranda Bowen, joined 73 walkers for the 40-mile hike, helping to raise an estimated £150,000 for six hospices in the south east, with St Clare's slice expected to be about £30,000.

The five-day trek was exhausting with temperatures of between 30 and 33 degrees celcius and 40 per cent humidity.

To illustrate the point the walkers got through seven bottles of water before lunchtime, every day.

Mrs Bore, who is no stranger to physical exertion having run the London Marathon earlier this year, said: "It was so hot that after five minutes of walking you'd break out into a sweat. We drank lots of water but it was all needed.

"It was very hard work we were 3,000ft above sea level which made you feel out of breath at times. And I didn't realise we would go to parts of the wall that still haven't been reconstructed. There were bits that were really very crumbly and I twisted my knee so I had to pull out of the fourth day, but I rejoined the group for the fifth day.

"At some points there were no sides at all so there was just a sheer drop on either side which didn't do much for my vertigo, or what I've worked out to be my fear of edges."

The walkers got to sample traditional Chinese food along the way including noodles for breakfast, and for the most part stayed in hotels which were functional rather than luxurious.

There were many memorable moments on the trip including a death-defying dismount from the wall at the end of one of the days.

Mrs Bore volunteered to take a 'zip slide' off the wall rather than walk to the bottom in an effort to save some energy.

"It was about 300ft above the ground for about two miles. That was quite hairy, but I'm glad I did it."

The scenery, the friendliness of the local people and the camaraderie between the walkers were also outstanding memories for Mrs Bore.

Indeed she said the whole trip was an unforgettable experience.

"It was indescribable," she said.

"To see that wall stretching for miles and miles and knowing that you had got there.

"Coming over the finish line and hearing those firecrackers I did feel quite emotional."

After completing the walk, the group was given the chance to buy medals and t-shirts proclaiming "I climbed the Great Wall of China" which were snapped up and worn with pride.

Next on the agenda for Mrs Bore is a race against a train to the top of Snowdonia and a walk across red hot coals at the hospice.

Anyone who would like the chance to warm their feet should ring 01279 413590 for more details.

July 10, 2002 12:30