Four women walk the Great Wall in aid of Barnstaple hospital Chemotherapy Appeal

Four North Devon women have raised about £6,000 for the North Devon District Hospital's Chemotherapy Appeal by walking along the Great Wall of China.

Twin sisters Heather and Georgina Smoldon joined friends Felicity Reid and Nicki Bellew on the Great Wall Discovery Expedition.

The group walked for between five and seven hours a day for five days.

Heather, a radiographer at North Devon District Hospital, said: "We had such an amazing time, walking in 28 degrees across some beautiful and remote areas of the wall.

"The terrain was very steep and challenging at times. We are all so glad we did it!"

Using the title 'Devon Girls Trek China', the quartet have held a variety of fundraising events over the past 18 months.

They included quiz nights, coffee mornings, a summer ball, barn dance, car boot sale, race night and silent auction, while they even bagged up and sold manure.

The group raised nearly £10,000 in total – about £4,000 to cover the costs of the trip and just under £6,000 for the Chemotherapy Appeal.

Julie Whitton, fundraising officer for the Appeal, said: "This was a fantastic effort by Heather, Georgina, Felicity and Nicki and we are extremely grateful for their dedication to the cause.

"This money helps us move ever closer to our fundraising target of £2.2million."

The proposed new chemotherapy and day treatment unit will provide a modern, purpose-built environment for over 8,000 patients in North Devon.If you have a fundraising idea with a difference, call Julie on 01271 311772 or e-mail her at julie.whitton@ndevon.swest.nhs.uk.