Emma Jones aims for Great Wall of China for Acorns Hospice

Aug 3 2010 by Diane Parkes, Birmingham Mail

HEALTH care assistant Emma Jones is pulling on her walking boots to raise cash for children with serious illnesses by trekking on the Great Wall of China.

Emma, aged 30, from Bearwood, is to undertake the nine-day-event in October with the aim of raising £2,000 for Acorns Children’s Hospice.

Emma was inspired to take part after she became a volunteer working with children and families at the Selly Oak hospice – and saw how much support can be given.

But she knows the trek, which will see her walking for eight hours a day covering some rough terrain, will be no easy task.

“I became a volunteer befriender at Acorns about three years ago,” she says. “That means that I spend time with the children when they are there, playing with them, reading books and sometimes going with them into the multi-sensory room.

“My time with the children is so precious. We paint their nails, play music with them or just listen and they really appreciate it and respond.