Bexhill trio meet Great Wall challenge

Ruth Trotman, Stella Grimshaw and Victoria Coleman shared the unforgettable experience of trekking for six days, sometimes up to nine hours a stretch, to raise funds for local charity The Chestnut Tree in Arundel which provides hospice care for children and young adults.

They camped at night in sometimes the most basic circumstances in villages and stops along the way, then hiked back to the Wall to resume their challenge each morning. They walked along derelict parts, up mountains and down valleys, and saw no other tourists for days while they passed through “stunning” scenery.

“It was amazing,” Ruth told the Observer on their return.

“What I didn’t realise was we would be walking three hours just to get to the Wall.

But it was fantastic - I would definitely do something like that again. If anyone ever said they might do it I would tell them to go ahead and do it. It did take us out of our comfort zone quite a bit, but it was great.”

Stella commented: “A lot of it was derelict so you were walking on paths opposite the Wall - you’d do a bit on hands and knees, then a bit of regular walking, a bit of mountaineering, a bit of everything along the way. It was the experience of a lifetime. “Most people were crying at the end, and we were getting quite emotional to think - My God, I have done it! I think there was the fear of the unknown and then when you are there it was not as frightening as you thought it was going to be because it was all so well organised.”

The group raised together a total of £12,500 and would like to thank: Sam Trotman, Jackie and Paul Hamilton of the Waterfront where both Ruth and Victoria work, Barclays Bank in Devonshire road, BG Drains, County Clean environmental services, Liane Carroll, Hydra Hotel, Buxten Park Hotel, St Leonards Florist, Centre Stage, Beauty Haven, Andy Earl and Pat King, plus anyone else who supported them by being sponsors.