A TEACHING assistant is stepping out for charity along the Great Wall of China.

Mother-of-one Nicola Hall plans to walk 60km of the wall in memory of her 50-year-old mother, Irene, who died of cancer in 2001 while raising money for Middlesbrough's Teesside Hospice, where she was cared for.

Miss Hall said: "Just seeing how the hospice runs is amazing. I decided I wanted to help out on an evening in reception.

"This is just one step further. They gave my mum so much, and I just wanted to give something back."

Miss Hall, who works at Brambles Primary School, will embark on her nine-day fundraising mission in October.

She will spend five days walking the only man-made feature which can be seen from the moon.

She wants to raise as much money as possible for the hospice, which costs £2,600 a day to run.

She has already held a number of fundraising sessions, including an event at Milford House, a sheltered housing scheme in Brambles Farm, where her dad David is a warden. And recent events boosted the total so far to more than £5,000.

Hospice fundraising manager Margaret Kent said: "We are really pleased she has chosen to take part in the walk for us. It has also been great to have the support of local people for the hospice."

Anyone wanting to donate to the cause can contact Miss Hall on (01642) 223968.