This is the first time that Sarah, an insulin-dependent diabetic whose late father suffered with Alzheimer’s, has embarked on such a venture. Sarah joined a 40-strong group in a six-day challenge to trek more than 110km of the Great Wall, from Huangyaguan Valley in the Yanshan Mountains towards Juyongguan.

Temperatures ranged from a chilly zero degrees at night in the mountains to over 20 degrees in the day, meaning a backpack filled with thermals and mittens alongside shorts and sunscreen! Aside from a chest infection in the final few days, Sarah only suffered one small blister and no complications from diabetes. She credits her fitness to ample preparation prior to the trip.

Sarah said: “It’s incredible to have raised so much for the Alzheimer’s Society, who gave my family invaluable support during my father’s struggle with the condition. People have been massively generous and their support, both financial and emotional, made the tough climbs and freezing nights much easier to endure.

 “The group were treated to spectacular views and amazing scenery, but also experienced the very humble conditions in which people live just a few hours from Beijing – relying on rainwater and basic foodstuffs to survive. It made us realise just how lucky we are.”

Thanks are also due to the Jones Myers team who threw themselves into the fund-raising efforts by supporting dress-down days, car boot sales and a particularly successful Chinese-themed banquet evening. If anyone would like to add to Sarah’s impressive fund-raising total please go to Sarah’s Just Giving Page or contact Sarah via Jones Myers on 0113 246 0055.

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This is the first time that Sarah, an insulin-dependent diabetic whose late father suffered with Alzheimer’s, has embarked on such a venture.

The family lawyer will join a 40-strong group in a six-day challenge to trek more than 110km of the Great Wall from Huangyaguan Valley in the Yanshan Mountains and progress towards Juyongguan.

It will be autumn in China and temperatures will plummet to zero degrees at night in the Mountains – rising to over 20 degrees in the day. Her kit will comprise thermal underwear, hat, gloves, sun-hat and factor-50 sun-screen.

Sarah is making home-made cakes and biscuits which she hopes will go down a treat at Wetherby Market on Thursday 26 July to help boost funds for her October mission.

Says Sarah: “Our family received invaluable support from the Alzheimer’s Society during my father’s struggle with the condition and I’m aiming to raise £4,000 which will help to support carers and enable valuable research to continue to seek out a cure.

“Making cakes for the market is my latest fundraising initiative and I’ve had great support from the team at Jones Myers who have been sampling my test baking. I look forward to seeing lots of shoppers being fortified by our delicious range of cakes and biscuits.”

The Jones Myers team have also thrown themselves into the spirit of the fundraising occasion by donating £1 to wear patriotic coloured clothing for the Diamond Jubilee and were served up strawberries, meringues and cream and cakes. Those who opted not to dress up were fined £2.  Additional funds were raised during Lent via an office swear box and colleagues are also supporting Sarah’s car boot sales with another one lined up at Pannal, Harrogate on Saturday 1 September.

Sarah’s current training includes twice-weekly sessions at her local gym to increase her fitness levels and she is trying to walk a minimum often miles a week with her rucksack to build up her stamina levels.

Adds Sarah, who will be away between 6-17 October: “It will be a personal challenge to manage my diabetic control in rural China as food, exercise and weather conditions all impact on it so it’s important that I’m as fit and prepared as possible to meet the exciting challenges ahead!”

For more information / to donate please go to http://www.justgiving.com/SarahDickinson-GreatWall or contact Sarah via Jones Myers on 0113 2460 055.

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