Photo with thanks to Mark Adler, Mendip Times.Karen Burge and Becky Brooks serve helper and willing customer, Sarah Clothier, last Saturday at Midsomer Norton Town Hall as part of their fundraising efforts for the RUH.

There were plenty of sweet treats on offer at Midsomer Norton Town Hall last Saturday, as local Great Wall of China charity trekkers, Journal Editor, Becky Brooks, and Karen Burge, held a huge cake sale to help raise money for the RUH's new Cancer Centre. Becky and Karen need to raise £2,800 each by 12th June and are stepping up their fundraising efforts considerably. Thanks to the generosity of the town's Saturday morning shoppers, Becky and Karen managed to raise £325. As well as those who bought cakes, the pair would like to thank everyone who spent time baking so much for the cause. The event was sponsored by the Sarah Ann Trust and Winnie's Bakery, who supplied two pallets of pastries and loaf cakes. "By the time we leave in early September, Karen and I need to have raised £3,100 each – in fact, it would be wonderful if we could raise even more," said Becky. "We will be trekking for six days and staying in hostels along the way. One of these nights we will be so remote, that we will be staying with a local family. The terrain looks incredibly challenging – I think we are both excited and scared in equal measure!" Karen and Becky will be joining a team of trekkers for the hospital's cause, with Karen signing up after seeing that someone locally would be taking on the challenge via The Journal. "Karen got in touch with me and we met up at the office to talk about the trek. At that point, she hadn't yet signed up – but I'm really glad she did!" says Becky. Karen, a Homeopath from Midsomer Norton, also works at Dorothy House as an administrator. She has a very personal reason for taking part. "Three years ago, I received treatment in the existing Oncology unit at the RUH and although I received amazing care and support from all the staff, the surroundings were not ideal," says Karen. "The old 'temporary' buildings built during the war are now very tired and cramped and I know that the fantastic facilities planned will make all the difference to patients having to endure the unpleasantness of cancer treatment. "I am now fit and healthy, thanks to the treatment and support I received at the RUH and I am taking on this challenge in memory of dear friends who sadly lost their battle." Both Karen and Becky will be continuing to hold events locally until they leave for the Great Wall. Karen will be helping out at the Open Day at the Positive Living Centre on 17th May (see Page 20), whilst Becky will be in training, walking 21 miles from Devizes through Bradford-on-Avon and to Bath as part of the hospital's Walk of Life on the same day. Karen is also organising a Craft Fayre at Midsomer Norton Methodist Church on Saturday, 31st May from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. Becky is organising Ted's Big Night Out at Mardons Social Club on Saturday, 24th May – a bear-themed, fun night with live music from local bands. A quiz night is also planned at the Old Down Inn, Emborough, on Thursday, 29th May, with more cake sales at Business West, also on 29th and 30th May. Both Becky and Karen will be frantically selling draw tickets, with prizes kindly donated by local businesses, due to be drawn during the charity night on 24th May. Make sure you get yours! Please call in to The Journal office for more details. For more information about Karen and Becky's challenge or to donate, visit: http://www.doitforcharity.com/KarensTrek">www.doitforcharity.com/KarensTrek and http://www.justgiving.com/BeckysChinaTrek">www.justgiving.com/BeckysChinaTrek