JASMIN Garland likes her charity fundraising to be a challenge - and later this month she will be tackling part of the Great Wall of China to raise money for a Gwent hospice.

Mrs Garland, 55, took up walking to help keep her fit after being diagnosed several years ago with the bone-weakening disease osteoporosis.

She has since completed the 30-mile Inca Trail through the Andes in South America, and last autumn a trek in the Himalayas to the base camp of Mount Everest.

Despite being ill earlier this year, and a recent bone scan showing that her bone density has deteriorated, she is looking forward to her 10-day Far East trek later this month, in aid of St Anne's Hospice, Newport.

"A couple of other people linked with St Anne's are going on the trip too, and I'm as prepared as I can be," said Mrs Garland, of Coed Gelli Parc, Blackwood, whose previous walks have benefited the National Osteoporosis Society and St Anne's.

"I've done the Brecon Beacons Trail recently, which I did before going to the Himalayas last year, and that is a good test of fitness.

"The bone scan result was a bit of a shock because I haven't felt any different to normal.

"But I've always been as careful as I possibly can be, and it's not going to put me off. As I've said before, I'm not one to just sit in chair and do nothing.

"I want to get out there and enjoy life. I don't know what my health is going to be like in 10, 20 years. I might be fine, but I might not and I don't want to look back and wish I'd done the things I'm doing now."