A BUSINESSWOMAN is set to spend ten days trekking along an historic tourist attraction in memory of her father.

Michelle Barrick, 55, of Tolleshunt Knights, will walk the Great Wall of China in support of Alzheimer’s Research UK.

Michelle, who owns David Russell Opticians in Church Road, Tiptree, has been completing physical challenges such as this for almost 20 years, which she feels is her way of “giving back to the community”.

Her challenge will see her pass through woodland and terraced farmland while following the contours of the hills and mountains in remote areas north of Beijing.

She will follow old sections of the Great Wall, as well as restored sections with smooth flagstones and lots of steps.

Michelle said: “Every now and again I do something silly like this, I have done the London Marathon and walked the Grand Canyon for many different purposes and good causes.

“I have moments where again I feel I can still do things like this and I always want to raise money for charity.

“It is 45km, it is not that far but it is all on tough terrain.”

Michelle picked Alzheimer’s Research UK because it is a cause very close to her heart.

Close friends and customers of Michelle have lost their husbands to the condition and other close relatives.

Michelle herself lost her father eight years ago after he battled Parkinson’s disease and was later diagnosed with Alzheimer’s.

She hopes her trek will help to raise further awareness of Alzheimer’s and how it affects many more people than just the sufferer and their carer.

Michelle said: “I watched my mother go through a great deal while my dad was ill.

“She was going through a nervous breakdown, it was a lot to deal with and she tried her best to care for him right up until he had to go into a home.

“It impacted all of us in our family.

“The more awareness we can raise of the issue and support we can give, the better.”

Michelle is looking forward to taking part in another challenge.

She said she has received a huge amount of support from her friends and family.

Although her husband has joined her on her challenges before, Michelle said the China trek was not his ‘cup of tea’.

She added: “He has said he would absolutely love to go to China but he would like to do it in a five-star hotel.

“For me this is the perfect way of seeing that part of the world.”

Michelle aims to raise around £3,000 for charity ahead of the trek, which she will take on in September.