Where: Winston's Wish head office, Royal Crescent, Cheltenham

When: Tuesday, September 24, 6.30pm

For the first time ever, Winston's Wish is offering supporters a bespoke overseas challenge and is heading to China to take on the 'Great Wall of China Trek' in October 2020 to raise vital funds for grieving children.

Winston's Wish was the first childhood bereavement charity to be established in the UK, and has been supporting children and young people who have been bereaved of a parent or sibling since 1992, be it through illness, accident, suicide, homicide or military.

The death of a parent is one of the most devastating and traumatic situations a child can ever face, but with the right support at the right time children can go on to lead full and healthy lives.

Supporter Wendy Grant became involved with the charity when her husband David was tragically killed in a road traffic accident in 2000. Their children were just three and five years old at the time.

She took on the 'Great Wall' in support of Winston's Wish in 2012 - raising over £7,000! She is now encouraging others to take part.

Wendy said: "It really is a once in a lifetime, never-to-be-forgotten trip. If you're hesitating, don't! It's amazing and got to be done! The food, the smells, the language, the sights are all different and all waiting to expand and blow your mind"

Kerry Waite, regional fundraising & events officer at Winston's Wish, added: "We're so grateful to Wendy for all of her support. £7,000 is a huge amount of money and enough to fund face-to-face support of six children for an entire year, helping them to cope with their grief and learn how to face the future with confidence and hope.

"We hope that others will be inspired to follow in Wendy's adventurous footsteps and, in doing so, give hope to the 45,000 children a year who are left devastated after the death of a mum or dad."

Winston's Wish offers a wide range of practical support and guidance to bereaved children, their families, and the professionals who support them.

These include a freephone national helpline, online support, an ASK email service and online chat service, drop-in service and a range of publications and training, as well as face-to-face therapeutic support in individual and group settings.

The charity relies completely on voluntary donations to raise the £2.5 million it needs each year to fund its services.

The childhood bereavement charity is hosting a free, no obligation information evening for anyone interested in finding out more about the Great Wall of China Trek.

The evening will take place at their head office on Royal Crescent in Cheltenham Tuesday, September 24, at 6.30pm.

You can register in advance to attend either online at www.events.winstonswish.org/china-information-evening/  or by calling 01242 515157. Interested individuals or parties are also welcome to simply turn up on the night.