Update: 27/10/2011 We're back! After a fantastic time over the last 12 days everyone returned home (just a tad smellier!) after completing the 77km challenge. Everyone got on so well (due to the team leader Steff Hall's amazing chirpiness!) as we faced some quite mountainous uphill trek's. Day 2 & 4 were fairly horrendous if we are all honest! But, we've done it - and another £18,000 or so goes to the bear sanctuary which, when we visited, was just amazing and the work they are doing critical to the success of the project.

Update: 15/10/2011 We're busy packing and getting ready for the trip - just one more day to go and we'll be heading out - going to be great to meet the other trekkers and, ultimately, the bear sanctuary and Jill Robinson and the team.Thanks to everyone who took the time to sponsor us so generously. Very much appreciated !

Thanks for taking the time to visit our JustGiving page.

.

Despite our fitness levels (yes mum, I know I should give up smoking!) we decided to join the China Trek in October 2011 in support of Animals Asia !

77km in 5 days - should be simple right ?! (this is from someone who drives to our village, rather than making the 10 minute walk - I don't think so !!)

However, at the end, we get to see the Bear Sanctuary in Chengdu - which is reason enough for us to do this! So, please dig deep and support us in our China Trek Challenge. Your donation will make a difference. Every bear brought into the sanctuary requires a minimum of £665 to be spent on veterinary costs - just to remove the diseased gall bladder.

All donations will be in addition to our own sponsorship. Our company, empath-e Ltd, has Animals Asia as its chosen charity and each year we donate money raised and/or spent on christmas cards/gifts. This year we've donated the £7,098 required as sponsorship costs for this trek (with £4,098 of that going to Animals Asia) - so everything else is a bonus, going directly to the charity.

-----------------

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer. So it’s the most efficient way to donate - we raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the charity.