Udate on 20 March. How we have walked! We've 'slide-walked' over ice, climbed and clambered over really old and crumbly parts of the Wall and now zip-wired over a lake and very high up! No one can say we've not earned every penny of our sponsor money. We were so worn out yesterday that we had to sleep between arriving back from an 11k walk and enjoying a Chinese banquet - yes another one! We're having a wonderful and exhausting time. We love China.

We're still excited and nervous with fingers firmly crossed that we reach our target of raising over £20,000 to battle breast cancer - we're so nearly there.

A BIG THANK YOU to everyone who has sponsored us so far, and to those of you who have passed our website link to friends and family - and there's still time for anyone who'd like to add some sponsorship.

Yes we're really here and we love China. We're all fired up and ready for THE WALL! There's still time to sponsor us and to pass our sponsor details to your friends. We've very nearly raised our target to 20,000 - hooray.

We are over the moon at how much we have already raised - largely thanks to our generous supporters and sponsors. We have already raised more than £17,000 - amazing!

We would love to increase the impact we are having on breast cancer research by smashing the £20,000 mark by China - please help us!

It's easy...

Send round the just giving link to anyone and everyone you think might be interested in sponsoring us.

We're also open to corporate sponsorship ideas. Do you know a company who would sponsor us to wear their t-shirts on the Great Wall for example?

Help us do our bit to make breast cancer a curable disease, 'cos it's not nice and it needs to be stopped.

Em & Laura xx

You may well question what training we've been doing to prepare us for the Great Wall adventure on 15 March and we can honestly say we're well under way with our preparations. Both of us have splashed a load of (our own!) cash on flash walking gear to look the part and we're planning a trip to the Chinese Emabassy later this week to see if we can actually get a visa.

There has even been a bit of physical training going on. Laura has been busy wearing in her sister's walking boots to her own foot shape and Emma's brought some brand new walking boots that feel like slippers (not sure she'll still be thinking that after a full day's Wall walking!) Emma dragged her mum and David walking in the Chipstead Valley for a impressive 3 hours of challenging terrain last weekend. Ending up at the Ramblers Rest for a fabulous pub lunch!

Emma's delighted with this effort, as she's been a bit down about her leg and back injury and was beginning to panic about being better for China. All is well now though and she even has some leg strengthening exercises from the hospital to support her training.

As China fast approaches and we're wearing in those wlaking boots, we can't help but think back to the gliz and glammour of last year's ball. So once again, here's the photos to help us remember. And to those of you who have joined the facebook group requesting us to do it again, let's hope there's some good news soon...

Last year's ball photos...

Thanks again to everyone for all the fantastic bids you threw to our wonderful auctioneer, Katie Derham, on Saturday night! You are all so generous!

Some of you have been asking what prices the lots reached - well here you go!!

Michael Owen shirt - £500

Sanctuary Spa Day - £400

Signed Cricket Bat – £750

Tea on the Terrace at the House of Commons X 2 – £500 each

Phoenix Nights script - £300

Pink Everton shirt - £550

Chelsea Tickets - £450

Rugby shirt - £1200

As for silent auction:

Ready Steady Cook package - £185

Double Magnum - £195

Chelsea V Valencia UEFA Champions League tickets - £210

'The Bill' goodies - £25

Soccer AM tickets - £150

Countdown tickets £55

Deal or No Deal tickets - £100

Beautiful flower photos - £70

Fullers Beer Tour x 2 - £180 & £170

Musical date with Craig Doyle - £155

Alex Ferguson signed photo - £330

Landrover Off Roading Day - £200

Pink Filofax Set - £125

Signed Surrey Cricket Bat - £180

Benefit hamper - £210

Signed books - £50

Thanks again guys!!

xxxxxxx

Well, we can't quite believe it's all over. The ball was a definite success. Such a glitzy affair and so much money raised for Breast Cancer Campaign. Our initial count estimates we have raised £12,500.00 (thank you David H for counting all the cash and keeping it safe). Thanks to everyone who helped us plan, prepare and everyone who contributed to making the night such a success. Katie Derham was particularly amazing in running the auction and we were not surprised when Emma's very own father in law - Steve - proved a total success as MC.

For all our bidders make sure you get your money in quick. The quicker we receive it, the quicker it gets to the charity and on to supporting further research.

Many of you asked would we do it again. We're delighted you had such an amazing time and once we have had lots of rest and sleep, maybe we'll think about it.........!!!!!!!

Feel free to let us know your thoughts about the ball.

Thanks to everyone,

Emma & Laura xxxx