GYMNASTICS coach Alison Smith is set to perform a balancing act with a difference.

For Alison, aged 25, of Manchester Road, Blackrod, is carrying out a charity walk in May ... along part of the Great Wall of China.

She is going to walk more than 100 miles along rocky terrain and often on very narrow stretches of the ancient wall.

Alison is hoping her efforts will raise £2,000 in sponsorship for the Children's Society.

She is going along with other fundraisers from all over the country for the eight-day trek.

Alison works as a word processor operator for Bolton Council's leisure services department, but she is also a part-time youth worker and takes gymnastics classes at Horwich and Turton leisure centres.

She said: "I am 25-years-old and I have never really travelled apart from going to Spain on holiday.

"I decided I wanted to see more of the world and then I saw a piece on television about this walk and I decided to have a go."

Alison, a former pupil at Rivington and Blackrod High School, represented Great Britain at gymnastics when she was 16.

Alison is currently raising £2,000 in sponsorship and anyone interested in helping can contact her on 07887 522111 or 01204 522311 ext 4188.

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