Nicky Pumfrett
Nicky's China Wall challenge 4 Cancer
Fundraising for Bowel Cancer UK
Story
Thank you for visiting my fundraising page. 
I have set up this web page to raise money and awareness for ‘Bowel Cancer UK ’ in memory of my Granddad (Raymond Pumfrett) who passed away 3 years ago having suffered for some time with Bowel Cancer. Seeing people and their families dealing with cancer is absolutely heartbreaking. I want to help and have myself a target of £5k to raise.
‘Bowel Cancer UK’ is the leading charity for bowel cancer with a 24hr support line. They promote awareness of bowel cancer and aim at providing greater access for screening.
With your help and donations we can make a real difference and help ‘Bowel Cancer UK’ in raising awareness into this disease, so it can be caught and treated early.
Bowel cancer is the second most common cause of cancer death in the UK . Every year 35,000 people are diagnosed with the disease (approx one every 15mins). 16,000 of this number will die (that is approx one every 30 minutes). However, if diagnosed early, bowel cancer is highly treatable.
To raise these funds I have committed myself to take part in a very intense trek along part of theGreat Wall of China , from 4th to 14th October 2007. I will be ditching my hair straighteners, make-up and stilettos for walking boots, cold nights with very minimal facilities (including the long drop toilet, so i'm told 
), not to mention all the horrible bugs! (I must be mad!!).
During the next few months I will be raising money in several ways, and would appreciate any help and support you are able to give to help me reach my target of 5k.
Any contribution you are able to make will assist me in making a difference to the lives of people affected by bowel cancer.
Donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to donate: Bowel Cancer UK will receive your money electronically and, if you are a UK taxpayer, an extra 28% in Gift Aid will be added to your donation at no cost to you.
If you would prefer to make donations in cash or cheque please do not hesitate to contact me on 0044 1908 602345.
Many many thanks for your support. 
Diary:
Sunday 27th May
Started my training at long last, my future mother-in-law, Ruth, who motivated me into walking approx 8 miles around Milton Keynes in the pouring rain (if it was up to her we probly would have walked another 8 miles, shame on me
).
Tuesday 29th May
Walked around Furzton Lake with my friend Vanessa, taking it easy as my legs still aching from Sunday! 
Monday 4th June
Only 4 months today until my challenge!! Walked 4K (well on the tredmill) and 5mins on the stepper...i know, but i gotta get into it slowly! lol
Tuesday 5th June
Bought some of my kit today and ordered my 2nd pair of walking boots, got some mole skin plasters, which are meant to prevent blisters (We'll see if they work).
Wednesday 6th June
I was up at 05:50 this morning to get down the gym walked over 3K on the tredmill and 6 mins on the steps. What surprised me most of all is that it only took me 40 mins to get ready for work!
Thursday 7th June
My friend Becky and i walked round both lakes at willen, must be about 2 miles, much better views than the gym! lol
Wednesday 20th June
Have been focusing more on fundraising this week and its going quite well. i've had some very generous donation pledges which are still to come.....watch this space. i held a raffle today which bought in a whopping £450 (a big thanks to Jurys Inn, TGI Fridays, Ellis Brigham, Symetrix, Millets, Spooners and to everyone else who contributed to that, with a special thank you to Vanessa Lewis who has been fantastic help from the start).
Friday 29th June
Well after an appalling start to my training i had a two hour work out today to make up for lost time, good thing was i found out that my boots are actually uncomfortable afterall and gave me small blisters (Wont be taking those with me). Shame the weather has been awful, does not give me the motivation to go out walking.
Monday 2nd July
Walked 5km today.
Tuesday 3rd July
I walked over 6km today......and rewarded myself with a large glass of red wine!
Wednesday 4th July
OH NO !!! only 3 months today until i go.....i'm getting so nervous now!
Saturday 7th July
Got a new pair of boots today, lets hope these are the right pair!
Sunday 8th July
Today my mum and i walked Ivenhoe Beacon only had a 3hour walk, my hayfever got so bad i couldnt see. (the only day i wanted the weather to be mild, typical).
Tuesday 10th July
Had a lovely walk around Willen Lake, managed to find lots of steps near the Peace Pagoda, so guess where you'll find me training........ 
Also, the new boots are a no go, didn't realise how difficult it would be finding some! back to the shops then......
Friday 13th July
My partner Jonny bought me a digital camera for the trek, bless him... i will have loads of great photos to show everyone when i'm back!
Saturday 14th July
Purchased my 3rd pair of boots, they seem to be the ones......3rd time lucky.
Sunday 15th July
Had a nice walk around willen with my partner Jonny, weather wasnt too hot today.
Tuesday 17th July
Yet another walk around Willen Lake, this time i got caught by the rain! Where is our summer this year?
Great news!! i received a big cheque for £500 from my compay Shaw Stone & Webster Ltd, the support from them has been fantastic.
Wednesday 18th July
Recieved another big cheque today for £200 from Elsbeth and Philip of Oakhill Properties in Milton Keynes. Thank you so much for your support both of you!
Saturday 28th July
Got some really good training in at Dunstable Downs with my mum, struggled up the steep hillside though.
Saturday 4th August
Took a trip to London, the Charity trek agents gave us loads more information on the what to expect day to day. Tried to be good and take the stairs at Covent Garden Underground station and only just made it to the top, alive!
Saturday 18th August
My folks took me on a huge walk this evening along the canal, in the pouring rain, at least i know my waterproofs are good.
Sunday 26th August
Got a good 6 Miles training in today in the last of the beautiful sunshine!
Thursday 30th August
I am arranging a Charity Dinner Party in Milton Keynes to raise more funds to reach my target.
Ooh and check out page 29 of todays Citizen....not a good photo.
Sunday 2nd September
Had a lovely 2 hour walk today, halfway point was the pub (Only way i could get my old man out walking with me).
Monday 3rd September
More training around willen lake.
Wednesday 5th September
Charity Dinner party to be held at Royal Lido Chinese in CMK - 150 invites sent out.
More training today - Willen Lake here i come......
Thursday 6th September
Training hard starts now, with only 4 weeks till i'm off to China......eek! Walked over 5K up hill this evening and lots of stairs.
Saturday 8th September
Walked willen Lake again - beautiful weather.
Monday 10th September
Around Willen lake again today
Tuesday 11th September
Around Willen lake again today
Wednesday 12th September
Walked Willen lake again this evening before hosting the Charity Dinner at Royal Lido Chinese Restaurant in Milton Keynes, who dontated 30% per person from the money they took on food. A big thank you to the Staff at Royal Lido for a successful evening, all your support and the huge £560 donation.
Thursday 13th September
3 weeks to go!!!! I'm getting nearer to my target!
Friday 14th September
My Company held a dress down day to help me and my colleague (Shirley) who is also raising money. We sold cakes and other goodies and managed to raise over £630, giving us £300 each. Thank you to everyone at Shaw Stone & Webster for all your support with our fundraising.
Saturday 15th September
My partner Jonny and i went on a bike ride. A nice change to walking. Its been a good 10 years since i last rode a bike, could have done with some stabilisers.
Monday 17th September
My partner and i went on another bike ride, to Willen Lake around it and back home (The long way) hard work but using some different muscles.
Only £900 still to raise in 2 weeks - Should anyone have any great ideas, please let me know !!
Thursday 20th September
Its been a long day, but i managed to fit a 30min walk in at 21:00 at night.
Only 2 weeks remaining until i depart the UK and head to China, to fulfill my Charity Challenge. Its come around very quick and its already been a challenge with the fundraising - Only £699 to go in the next 2 weeks - if your reading this please dig deep, its for a great cause!
Saturday 22nd September
Up early this morning for more training, no rest for the wicked! Also been trying to find my remaining bits of kit.
Sunday 23rd September
My partner and i went cycling around Milton Keynes, just missing the rain! i hope some good weather holds out for another week, so i can get some good training sessions in.
Tuesday 25th September
Another cycle this evening, but cut short due to horrible weather! 
Tuesday 2nd October
Only two days!!
I'd like to say a huge thank you to everyone who has donated and helped me with my challenge. The money is going to a great cause and will help those people who are less fortunate than us!
If anyone still wishes to donate, my site will be open until 6th November 2007.
Wish me luck!
SUNDAY 14th OCTOBER 2007
I DID IT !! I still have a small bit to raise before November 6th, please make a donation if you havent yet done so. Thank you to everyone for all their support to help me raise this money! xx
xxxx