A team of family and friends have been waved off as they embarked on a gruelling charity challenge.

Kim Robertson and her team left her home in North Cove, near Beccles, in a pink limousine as they headed for a fundraising adventure in China.

Together they will trek the Great Wall as they raise money for the charity Breakthrough Breast Cancer.

The reason behind the trip is that Mrs Robertson underwent a double mastectomy after being diagnosed with breast cancer last year, and she wanted to do something to help raise money for more research.

'I made up my mind to do it and thought I was going on my own, but the others wanted to do it as well,' she said.

'We've all got health issues, but everyone feels with what I have gone through they can put their issues aside to join in.'

The 47-year-old was first diagnosed with breast cancer on Valentine's Day last year and had two tumours removed in the March.

She said she was grateful to her friends and family who had supported her during the 'rollercoaster' period and continued to do so in her fundraising efforts.

For the trek she has been joined by her 21-year-old daughter, Laura, and 43-year-old sister Paula Allan, as well as friends Marianne Knights, Benita Ogg, Tracey Riches, Jo Ashford and Lisa McGurk.

Together they will spend 10 days in China trekking 50km across some of the Great Wall's most remote parts.

Mrs Robertson, who said she was excited but apprehensive, added: 'It does not sound much as I have run half marathons, but it is very steep in places. Some steps are four foot high so it will be like climbing instead of walking.'

During the last six months the group have been tirelessly fundraising with a range of events including hosting a ball, printing a calendar, bag packing, cake sales and a night at the greyhounds.

Mrs Robertson said: 'We've raised �18,300 in total. Our target was �15,500 so we are absolutely thrilled at people's generosity with everyone willing to help out.'

A pink limousine was even rented by local firm Wigg Motor Engineers to help them drive to Heathrow airport in style.

Mrs Robertson added that she felt it was important that the money was going to the charity Breakthrough Breast Cancer as she wanted to help more research get done into the disease.

To donate visit www.justgiving.com/team-robertson and to follow their journey online visit www.teamrobertsonchinatrek.blogspot.co.uk

richard.wood@archant.co.uk