ADVENTURE seekers are invited to trek world-famous fortification The Great Wall of China to raise funds for hospice care.
In October 2026, intrepid fundraisers for Worcester’s St Richard’s Hospice will take on a five-day hike along a remote section of the ancient wall from Gubeikou to Jinshanling and Simatai.
A free information evening will take place on Tuesday, April 1 2025 at St Richard’s in Wildwood Drive for anyone interested to learn more about what is involved in the challenge.
Sofia Gunster, hospice Events and Community Fundraising Lead, said: “This is a great opportunity to experience not only this iconic structure but also the breath-taking landscape surrounding the wall.
“It’s going to be a challenging trek with the wall built on rolling hills and some sections featuring hundreds of thousands of stairs.
“But, it will be an incredible experience with memories made to treasure for years to come, all while raising the vital funds we need to continue our hospice care.”
The trip takes place between October 17 and October 25 2026, which includes a day in Beijing on either side of the trek.
Claire Way took on a similar challenge along the wall with her son, Evan, in 2017, raising funds for St Richard’s.
“I know it’s a cliché, but it really was the trip of a lifetime,” said Claire.
“The guide took us to the most wonderful places and introduced us to lovely people.
“We are still in touch with the little group of friends we made eight years ago, as we all shared beautiful, unique experiences together.”
Funds raised by trekkers will help the hospice continue its free, specialist palliative and end-of-life care to patients living with incurable illnesses, and support for their loved ones.
A registration fee of £399 is payable at the time of booking a place for the trip. Participants are challenged to raise £3,995 each, with support available from the hospice Fundraising Team.
A flexi payment option, where participants pay their own trip cost and fundraise an additional donation for the hospice, is also available.
To sign up for the free information evening, which takes place in person and online, or to register for the trek itself, visit: www.strichards.org.uk/event/chinatrek
St Richard’s Hospice is an independent charity offering free, expert care for adults with an illness that cannot be cured, and support for their loved ones and carers.
Each year the hospice team supports more than 3,100 patients, family members and bereaved people in Worcestershire.
It will cost in the region of £12m to run the hospice this year, which includes patient care and all the necessary support services.
St Richard’s relies on voluntary support, including from donations, gifts in Wills, retail and events for the majority of its income with the remainder funded by the NHS.
For more information about St Richard’s Hospice visit www.strichards.org.uk