A regional daily journalist has raised thousands of pounds for her newspaper’s hospice appeal after completing a charity trek.

Reporter Gemma Peplow from the Leicester Mercury took part in a six-day hike along a 120km section of the Great Wall of China with her sister Nicki and the pair gained almost £7,500 in sponsorship for the Loros Appeal.

The Northcliffe title launched its appeal in November last year to ask readers to help it raise £450,000 towards the financing of a new extension, which had already been built.

Gemma led the campaign since it started and decided to take part in May’s trek to boost the funds, which have reached £234,000 in total so far.

Gemma, left, is pictured with sister Nicki during the trek

She said: “The six-day trek along the mighty Great Wall was the toughest, most challenging feat of my life – by a long way, believe me – but also the most amazing experience, one that has left me with a great sense of pride.

“While it was fantastic to be in charge of the campaign, after completing the trek I now really feel like I have done my bit, suffering the blisters, aching legs and unappetising packed lunches, all in the name of charidee.

“I was never expecting the trek to be easy and it wasn’t, but I loved every minute of it.

“Nicki and I might have trekked the Great Wall but, tough as it was, it’s the generosity of people that has really made a difference.

“I’ve visited Loros several times since we launched our campaign and I know, as do thousands of people across Leicestershire and Rutland, what a vital service the hospice provides.”

The new extension provides an extra 11 single-bedded rooms for the hospice, giving extra privacy for patients.

Comments

Not impressed (16/06/2010 10:02:00)
This sort of thing used to be known as a walking holiday. Journalists should know better than to get involved with this stuff. Very nice for the hospice and all that – but these events have little credibility – cycle the Machu Pichu trail? Oh the hardship. Walk the Inca caves ? So brave! Visit seven wonders in seven days? Oh you hero!

Someone else (16/06/2010 10:12:34)
Not Impressed, have you managed to raise thousands of pounds for a hospice, or any other worthy cause? If not, stop moaning!

Subbed Out (16/06/2010 10:14:06)
At least she completed a trek and raised money. Some so-called ‘travel writers’ are terribly unfit. I was on holiday in the Far East not too long ago and came across a sweating, obese woman writing about elephants for a national Sunday paper. I felt quite sorry for the elephant tasked with transporting her enormous bulk around. Poor thing.