Leicester Mercury reporter Gemma Peplow has passed the halfway mark towards her fund-raising target for our LOROS Appeal. The 27-year-old is planning to walk a 120km section of the Great Wall of China with her sister, Nicki, to raise funds for the Groby Road hospice. Their target is to raise more than £5,300 and, after launching a sponsorship appeal at the end of January, donations currently stand at £2,680. The nine-day trek starts on Saturday, May 8.
Gemma, who has been a news reporter at the Mercury for three-and-a-half years, decided to take on the challenge after leading our Christmas appeal for LOROS. She said: "It's great we have hit the halfway mark so quickly. That is all through sponsorship, so thank you to everyone who has donated. We have a few events planned which should help boost the total even more." As well as family, friends and colleagues, Mercury readers have also donated to the cause. Gemma said: "One reader very kindly donated £50 but did not leave any contact details, so I would like to say thank you here."
The Leicester Mercury LOROS Appeal was launched in November, with the aim of helping the hospice raise the remaining £450,000 for a £2m extension, which opened in October. By Christmas, the appeal had raised just over £100,000. The total now is just under £198,000.
Events coming up to support Gemma and Nicki's China Trek include a three-course meal and entertainment night at The Old Greyhound Inn, in Great Glen, on Saturday, April 10, featuring Nigel John, one of the country's leading Elton John tribute acts.
Pat and Peter Hockenhull, who own the Greyhound, are hoping to raise hundreds of pounds. Pat said: "It should be a fantastic night. LOROS is a wonderful charity which is very close to our hearts and we have known Gemma and Nicki for years so we are really happy to support the sponsored China trek."
There will be a Leicester Mercury LOROS Appeal gig on Saturday, April 24. Details of this will be announced soon.
For information about the event at the Greyhound, call 0116 259 2265.
To sponsor Gemma and Nicki, send a cheque, made payable to LOROS to Gemma Peplow, LOROS China Trek, Leicester Mercury, St George Street, Leicester LE1 9FQ. Or donate online at: www.justgiving. com/ gemmapeplowLOROS. Contact Gemma on 0116 222 4265, or: gemmapeplow@ leicestermercury.co.uk