Faye and Emma prepare for epic challenge
Released: 10 October 2007
Council worker Faye Pemberton is pulling on her walking boots to tackle one of the toughest treks in the world.
She is taking on the Great Wall of China, the world's longest man-made structure, stretching around 4,000 miles or 6,400km. The wall, a series of stone and earthen fortifications built to protect the northern borders of the Chinese Empire, is also one of the wonders of the world.
Faye and former colleague Emma Bell will be trekking on average ten miles a day along it to raise thousands of pounds for charity.
The pair have been pounding the foothills of Wales, as well as the nearby Clent Hills and Cannock Chase, over the last few months in preparation and are now ready for the challenge of a lifetime.
Faye, an Assistant Team Manager based at The Croft Mental Health Resource Centre in Bilston, said: “I am really excited about it and can’t wait to get started. I hope I will be alright and just want to get out there to give it a go.
“We needed to do lots of hill walking to prepare ourselves for the challenge.
“Our biggest fear is going up and down all those steps. And some of the sections we are walking along are not very touristy, so we are not sure what shape they will be in.”
But the thought of the cash the pair will raise for charity will spur them on. Faye is walking in aid of the Alzheimer’s Society, while Emma is hoping to raise thousands for Cancer Research.
“I work with older people but it really brought it home when my aunt was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s,” said Faye.
“She’s only in her 50s which is really young to have the condition and it made me want to do something to help.
“I am hoping to raise as much as I can to pay for research into treatment for the disease.”
Faye has already raised £1,600 through a series of fundraisers including a sponsored abseil, Bhangra night and a charity football match.
The accomplished musician also held a Christmas concert and has been out and about busking in the city centre.
She hopes to eventually top £2,000 with more help from generous friends and family.
The pair are paying for the trip themselves but need to raise this amount each to give to their respective charities.
Emma, a community psychiatric nurse who worked with Faye at Blakenhall Resource Centre, chose Cancer Research after her mother tragically passed away from the disease.
The pair will join a team of 25 from all over the country on the epic challenge.
They fly out to the Far East on Thursday, 18 October, and start the trek the very next day. They will walk between 10 and 15 miles a day for the next 10 days, before getting a well deserved foot massage at the end.
The event has been organised by Kuoni Travel, with those taking part choosing the charity they want to support.
Anyone who wants to sponsor can e-mail Faye or call her on 01902 551720.
Emma has secured sponsorship from Timmins Waste Services of Wolverhampton and TravelWorld, Telford. To support Emma’s fundraising efforts, call her on 01902 575152.
Issued by the press office.