Hospital charity champion to trek Great Wall of China
A N&N Hospitals Charity fundraiser who has raised thousands of pounds for cancer care is back on the fundraising trail, this time facing her biggest challenge yet.
Last year’s Charity Champion Inspiration Award winner Louisa Dye is training to trek along the iconic Great Wall of China, setting off later in the year.
In 2023, Louisa battled shin splints, blisters and every imaginable weather condition to walk 500 miles in a month, raising more than £8,000 to support even better care for cancer patients at NNUH.
The walk, which received the support of Scottish music duo The Proclaimers, was in memory of her parents – Stuart Clarke, who died from pancreatic cancer in 2006 and mother, Christine, who died after being diagnosed with breast cancer in 2021.
But far from taking a break, Louisa, from Sprowston, has now decided to take on the epic Great Wall of China challenge which will see her trek thousands of steps each day along what is described as one of the New Wonders of the World.
Louisa said: “Since losing mum, I have struggled greatly with grief. Losing one parent is hard, losing two is heartbreaking. This is where the challenges have come from. I never knew I had this in me until last year, but I now have the inner urge and adventure to do anything I can to help raise money for oncology at NNUH and this is giving me focus that is helping me through my grieving period.
“I will be trekking five days across sections of the Great Wall, covering thousands of steps up and down each day, comprising of flat areas, rugged areas, some with a sheer drop either side, something I’ll have to deal with at the time as I hate heights.
“All this is in memory of my beautiful parents who I miss every day. My trip is fully funded, and I’ve been sponsored by Dyes Pharmacy, Rogers & Norton Solicitors, Pymm & Co Estate Agents, Norfolk Planning & Property Consultants, and Total Conservatory Roof Systems, so all donations will go directly to this worthy charity.”
Lynn Crombie, from the N&N Hospitals Charity, said: “Louisa never ceases to amaze us with her fundraising, and this challenge shows how far she will go, literally, to support our cancer team. We hope everyone will get behind her – every pound Louisa raises goes to support the treatment and care of those suffering from and living with cancer.”
Find out more and support Louisa via her JustGiving page www.justgiving.com/page/louisadye-china
If you would like to find out more about the N&N Hospitals Charity and find out how you can support us, please email charity@nnuh.nhs.uk