A Renfrewshire woman is going that extra mile for charity...by taking on the Great Wall of China.

Laura Graham, who has already completed treks to Kilimanjaro, in Africa, and Machu Picchu, in Peru, will take on her latest challenge to raise funds for Motor Neurone Disease (MND) Scotland.

And, every step of the way, she’ll be thinking of much-loved teacher Gordon MacVicar, who lost his battle with MND back in 2011.

Laura, 33, was a close friend of Gordon, who taught at Park Mains High, in Erskine.

She hopes to raise a further £4,000 for MND Scotland through her trek along the 14,000-mile-long wonder.

Laura, originally from Inchinnan, told The Gazette: “I knew Gordon almost all of my life. We all miss him very much.

“Gordon was a technical teacher at Park Mains High and his sense of fun and laughter was loved by all who came in contact with him. His humour stood out for most.

“He was a huge wind-up merchant, many not realising he was winding them up.

“His family, friends, colleagues and all the pupils he had come in contact with were devastated when he passed away.”

MND is a rapidly progressing terminal illness which stops signals from the brain reaching the muscles.

This may cause someone to lose the ability to walk, talk, eat, drink or breathe unaided.

There is currently no cure or effective treatment for MND and the average life expectancy from diagnosis is just 20 months.

Iain McWhirter, MND Scotland’s head of fundraising, said “Laura has been a huge supporter of the charity over the last six years and, together with the other 42 Great Wall of China participants, she will have an experience of a lifetime.

“We are so grateful for Laura’s hard work and support to raise vital funds and awareness.

“Without supporters like her, we wouldn’t be able to continue supporting people affected by MND across Scotland or funding a cure for this devastating disease.”

Laura’s trek along the Great Wall of China is set to take place in September next year.

To support her fundraising efforts for MND Scotland, visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/laura-graham40.