Three women are to trek along the Great Wall of China for the charity which cared for their dying friend.

Joanna Clark, 27, of Courtenay Road, Walthamstow, Stephanie Pearson, 27, formerly of Walthamstow, and Danielle Slorach, 26, of Brook Crescent in Chingford, will next month raise funds for Macmillan cancer support.

The women have taken on the self-funded five-day 46km challenge to raise £500 for the nurses who cared for their friend Natasha Shirley, who died in 2012.

Ms Shirley, a mother-of-one from Walthamstow, was diagnosed in 2010 with tumours on her liver, pancreas and bones. She died aged 25 on June 30 2012, leaving behind her now seven-year-old son, Kian.

The four women met over 10 years ago at Rushcroft Foundation School in Rushcroft Road, Chingford.

The trip, which starts on April 12, is the first time 'Team Tash' have raised money for Macmillan, having previously raised over £2,500 for Cancer Research UK.

Mis Slorach said: "We thought we could do this for Macmillan as they helped Tash in more ways than we could imagine.

"Her nurse Jane was fantastic and I know Natasha could talk to her about things she couldn't say to us as well as offering physical and emotional support.

Ms Clark added: "Every time I want to give up with the training I remember who I'm doing it for.

"When we first booked it, I could just hear Tash laughing at us and saying 'you're all mad'. She would've found it hilarious that we'd decided to do something so challenging.

"I really hope we're making her proud!"

 So far, the trio have received 22 online donations and raised £335.

A raffle and bucket collection will be taking place on Saturday night at Loco Lounge bar in Chingford from 8:30pm.  

To support 'Team Tash' click here