A GRANDMOTHER from Olveston will trek the Great Wall of China to raise money for a cancer charity in memory of her mum who died as a result of the disease.


Linda Chappell, 57, is taking on The Great Wall Trek for Hope challenge next month, to raise funds for Pancreatic Cancer UK.


She lost her mum, Kath, and her auntie, Iris, to the disease in the past two years, and is determined to not only raise money for the charity, but also awareness of the deadly disease.


“Although they were both in their older years, it became apparent that the outcome, even for far younger people, is just as bleak,” she said.


“Pancreatic cancer is the fifth most common cause of cancer death in the UK but shockingly the survival rate is nearly non-existent.


“I am doing the trek in memory of my loved ones in order to raise awareness of this disease and above all, to give hope to those affected by this life-changing diagnosis in the future.”


The brave grandmother is training hard for the challenge, which is a nine-day trip with five days trekking along stony, steep and sometimes slippery paths of both renovated and unrenovated original wall sections. 


Kicking off on October 17, the part-time secretary at Elms Farm in Tockington will trek in a group of 20 strangers who have all been affected by the disease in some way.


Mrs Chappell has already raised £1,700 for the worthy cause, and said she has been well supported by her husband Geoff, daughters Katie, 32 and Naomi, 29, and grandchildren, Betty, 18 months, one-year-old Rory and Lucas, three.


“I’ll be taking donations before, during and after the trek, and I hope to break my original target of £2,000,” she said.


“All the money will go directly to this charity. I am paying for the trek and associated costs myself.


“A big thank you to everyone who has already generously donated to this cause.”


Claire Walsh, director of fundraising and marketing at Pancreatic Cancer UK, said:“We would like to wish Linda the best of luck with her Great Wall Trek for Hope, and thank her for helping us to fund crucial research into pancreatic cancer, and offer vital support to people affected by the disease. 


“With the help of supporters like Linda, we can continue to provide crucial services for people with the disease and their loved ones, like our support line which is staffed by specialist nurses. 


“We hope Linda enjoys her trip and wish her a safe journey.”


To donate visit justgiving.com/linda-chappell.


To learn more about the charity, and to sign up to the next trek, visit pancreaticcancer.org.uk.