A Royal Mail manager from Little Plumstead is embarking on a five-day trek along the Great Wall of China to fundraise in memory of her dad who died less than a year, aged 52, after being diagnosed with cancer.

Rebecca Williams, 25, of Kevill Davis Drive, decided to take on the challenge to walk a stretch of the wall after her dad was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in November 2012.

In September 2013, less than a year later, he died.

Miss Williams said: 'At the age of 52 my father was very suddenly diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. He sadly died.

'I had been thinking about how I could raise more awareness of the disease and how I could support Pancreatic Cancer UK as a thank-you for all the support they gave my family, and this seemed like the perfect tribute to my father – something challenging and something that he would be proud of.'

Miss Williams and her partner Matthew Lomax, 37, will begin their journey near Beijing on the Badaling stretch of the Great Wall on October 26 this year.

They will travel on the long and tough route of the terrain which covers many parts of the wall that have not been renovated and they will be accompanied by a small group of other charity travellers from across the country, alongside specialist trainers and route experts.

The challenge will finish at the top of the Heavenly Stairway, which on a clear day has views of the mountains all around.

Miss Williams said: 'We've both been training hard and hope to raise a lot of money for Pancreatic Cancer UK; we want to raise £6,000 together.'

Pancreatic cancer is the ninth most common cancer in the UK and more than 8,350 people a year are diagnosed with the disease.

If you would like to support the couple please donate at their website www.justgiving.com/Rebecca-Williams27.

Are you raising money for a good cause? Email reporter donna-louise.bishop@archant.co.uk