A RAILWAY ticket office worker is on track to raise thousands for charity as part of a “once in a lifetime opportunity”.

Denise Vincent, who lived in Saffron Walden for 26 years before moving to Hempstead two years ago, is joining a group of eager hikers due to tackle the Great Wall of China in September.

They aim to raise funds for Macmillan Cancer Care.

“Macmillan is fantastic and does amazing work. I have always backed the charity – several of my friends who have died were supported by the nurses,” said Mrs Vincent, who got involved with the trek after seeing an advertisement in the Metro.

“They were looking for people and it seemed interesting. I ignored it at first but kept seeing the advertisement week after week until I thought, ‘I’m getting told to go here’.

“And the support and money has been rolling in which has confirmed the fact that I should definately be doing this.”

Despite being a Cub leader in the past, Mrs Vincent – who is well known in the area through her work for National Express east Anglia in local ticket offices, including Audley End and Whittlesford stations – admits she has “never done anything as adventurous on this scale before”.

“I have done lots of walking – my daughter’s dog doesn’t know what’s hit it,” she joked.

““It will be hard work and I am terrified but at the same time this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and I am really looking forward to it.”

Each participant in the group has pledged to raise a minimum of �3,400, although Mrs Vincent is hoping to exceed that target.

She has raised over �2,800 already and has been getting a helping hand from young people of the SWYPE youth group based at United Reformed Church in Abbey Lane. They have been rolling up their sleeves, helping Mrs Vincent to bake cakes and biscuits in preparation of a charity coffee morning at the church this Saturday (May 21).

The event, which runs from 9.30am to 12.30pm, is open to all. Stalls include cakes, crafts, bric-a-brac, face-painting, books and a raffle. There will also be information available on Macmillan and the trek.

You can support Mrs Vincent by donating at justgiving.com/denise-vincent