Celebs donate items to support pair'strek across China

The well-known entertainers have donated items to a silent auction being held by Alison Thorpe and Gillian Grinstead to raise money for their trek.

The auction and jumble sale will take place at the Assembly Rooms in Chichester on August 18. Alison (25) and Gillian (49), from Felpham, will set off for the Great Wall of China the following month.

The pair will spend five days trekking along the steep and arduous paths of the mammoth structure and its surrounding countryside.

Alison, of Warren Way, said: 'It will be such an amazing feat to complete the walk. The parts of the wall we will be walking on are not in the areas visited by tourists. So, not many people are able to see them.'

She and Gillian will be walking in aid of Marie Curie Cancer Care. 'This challenge is especially important to my mother and I as we have lost many friends and relatives to this disease and finally feel we can do something to help in their memory,' Alison explained.

They need 2,700 sponsorship to take part in the walk. They have raised about 1,500 so far.

Some of the money will be raised by Alison's parents letting their Felpham home while they live in Spain for a few months.

This has enabled Gillian to get in some training in the mountains near her holiday home. Alison is regularly walking with her in-laws to build up her fitness.

'This year we are dedicating ourselves to getting fit for this challenge,' added Alison, 'and to raising much needed funds for Marie Curie Cancer Care.'

Anyone who wants to sponsor Alison and Gillian should visit the www.justgiving.com/

alisonstrek website.