TWO Frome people raised over £8,500 for charity in a five day trek along the Great Wall of China last year.
Dot Cretney and Karl Waldeck took on the world’s biggest man-made structure in October and raised £8,510.74 for Frome counselling charity We Hear You (WHY).
They spent five days trekking across watch towers and historic battlement stations, as well as conquering the 1,000 steps up to the wall at Mutianyu.
Dot, 68 said, “As the trip grew nearer I realised I must have been a loon, but I now have the desire to do as many challenges as I can possibly do before age defies me!
“I have met people who will become friends for life and met people who I found inspirational. The challenges I faced on this trek are nothing compared with the challenges people with serious illness face every day – my admiration is for those people.
“To everyone who supported us during our fundraising year, we thank you from the bottom of our hearts. We had a ball, but hope that none of us have to go through what charities such as WHY have to see.”
Dot and Karl spent 18 months fundraising before the trek by holding coffee mornings, race nights, quiz nights, making jam and holding raffles, and managed to exceed their £6,000 target.
Gemma Wilkes, fundraiser for WHY said, “Dot and Karl are an inspiration and we are exceptionally grateful to them for undertaking this incredible challenge on our behalf.
“They have had just the most amazing experience and we are so privileged to have been part of this with them. At the moment referrals for our support are at a record high and we cannot thank them enough for their amazing contribution.
“Their fundraising has been phenomenal and the money they’ve raised will fund hundreds of counselling sessions for the local community.
“Taking part in a challenge event enables people to create memorable experiences, meet new people as well as raise much needed funds for We Hear You. We hope Dot and Karl’s experience inspire others to take on their own personal challenges.”
WHY has a broad range of challenges, both near and far, available for people to take part in or can help people create a challenge of their own.
For more information go to www.wehearyou.org.uk/events or email fundraising@wehearyou.org.uk
