A PARKINSON'S Disease sufferer and his wife have raised more than £5,6000 by doing a trek along the Great Wall of China.

Alan McCance, 47, and wife Dawn Logan-McCance, 37, of Blackhill, Consett, County Durham, were among a group who took part in a five-day 80km walk organised by the Parkinson's Disease Society through a company called Across The Divide.

The couple had to raise £5,600 to take part and are hoping that their efforts will have raised a bit more. The money will go to a research project into the disease.

Mrs Logan-McCance described it as a "life-changing experience. We were up and down hills and camping out three nights.

"We stayed a night with a local school. They live in really bad conditions compared to that which are children live in.

"The trek was absolutely amazing. The team spirit was what got you through. There were times when everybody felt a little bit down but everybody jollied you on and said that you could do it.

"Alan did brilliantly. For him it was a personal goal, to prove to himself that he could do it. There were another five people doing it who had Parkinson's.'' The couple raised money for the trip with things like shopping bag packing sessions, a race night and a fashion show.

So far the trek has raised an estimated total of £134,000.

Mr McCance was diagnosed with the disease four years but is still working as a maintenance fitter.

The couple thank for giving them "tremendous support'': AK Leisure, All Talk Garage, The Book People, Iceland customers, Colour Library, Gifts Direct, Cathedral Upholstery, the GMB and Unison unions,Thomas Swan, Radford Shelving, Consett Rotary Club, Caroline's School Of Motoring, Robinson's School of Motoring, Blackhill Fish Shop, Derwentside District Council, M S Walton Construction, DTL Construction, JAK Publications, Kings Restaurant, staff and students and Derwentside College, Safeguard Security, friends and family.