For five days Luke, 27, along with five close friends from Sheffield and 30 other adventurers from across the country, trekked over the ramparts of the Great Wall and through the countryside of rural China for an exhausting five hours a day.

The efforts of the six Sheffield trekkers have raised more than £17,500 for Marie Curie Cancer Care, all of which will go towards enabling people who are terminally ill to be cared for at home.

Luke, from Killamarsh, a customer relations manager for Norwich Union, said: "We had just over a year to raise £17,000 and get fit enough to cope with the Great Wall. Spending many a weekend either in some kind of fancy dress, including a huge daffodil suit on more than one occasion, at local supermarkets or garden centres kept the donations rolling in. We were even given 100 free sittings at a local Indian restaurant (Akhtars in Killamarsh), which we sold and raised over £2,000.

"The trek was hard work but the decision to commit to this awesome challenge was the single greatest decision I have ever made.

"Not only did I have the chance to walk the Great Wall of China but we've raised a huge amount of money for Marie Curie Cancer Care at the same time.

"I met some incredible people and forged friendships that will last forever.

"The walking was tough,but the group made sure that we all made it through together. The thought that we were sleeping in tents, in valleys surrounded by mountains, in the shadow of the Great Wall seems incredible now we're home – what a view when you open that tent door. Simply breathtaking."

Local fundraiser Liz Gow said: "There's no doubt about it that trekking along the Great Wall of China is a tough challenge but this is also a fantastic adventure and a once in a lifetime experience.

"Rural China is a changing landscape and we'd encourage as many people as possible to experience the wall and this amazing trek as it is now.

"We are ecstatic that Luke and his friends decided to rise to step to it for Marie Curie Cancer Care.

"The group raised such a phenomenal amount of money that will make a massive difference in helping Marie Curie Nurses to give free one-to-one care to terminally ill people in the area. We cannot thank them enough for their efforts.

"We're now recruiting for adventurers to take on our Great Wall Of China Trek in September 2008 and May 2009. If you've been inspired by Luke's account we'd love to hear from you.''

For more information about overseas challenges, contact Liz on 0114 279 3010 or visit www.mariecurie.org.uk/discover