Come September, I will be attempting to trek the Great Wall of China in the hope to raise money for Challenge for Life. I'm fairly confident that the 'challenge' will arise from perhaps never being able to glance at a pair of walking boots, ever again. Or at least not without breaking out in a cold sweat and fearfully recalling the increasingly desperate state of my hair.  

For those of you that know me, the image of me racking up some serious walking miles and clambering around foreign steps in either the heat or snow (because China is nice enough to throw all kinds of climates at you) probably isn't how you would usually picture me. Because put simply, I like being clean, with un-chipped nails and straightened hair.

When I told my mum about my new potential feral way of way living, all in the name of charity - she rapidly went through all 12 stages of denial. She laughed, she cried, she shook her head, all before examining me as though I was some unknown creature that had stumbled through the cat flap. 

"So, will you be flagging down a taxi, half-way through?" She eventually exclaimed. I wish now that I had, Jessica Simpson - inspired, trotted around the kitchen with my fetching walking pole and answered: 'No mum, these boots are made for walking.' 

Anyway, jokes aside, I hope that this sets the scene nicely and although I'm keeping it light-hearted, in light of recent events it is very important to me to raise money for Cancer prevention and treatment. My family are the inspiration for this, with my brother and sisters already raising a massive £36,000 for the Fresh Hair Charity. 

So this is me trying to support a great cause, in the memory of somebody close to my heart whilst also challenging myself personally. Any donations, no matter how small, will be greatly appreciated. 

Just how much space do you think my shellac nail kit would take up?