The Press and Journal (Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire)
Deborah has China on her mind for charity trek
Deborah Benzie is accustomed to working with china at work, but now she has decided to embark on a new challenge which will take her away from porcelain cups to walk along the Great Wall of China.
In her everyday life, Ms Benzie is café co-ordinator at the John Street amenity in Aberdeen of North East Sensory Services (Ness), providing hot meals as well as coffee and cakes and mouthwatering puddings.
But she is about to undergo a formidable trek and climb to help her café customers.
As part of her efforts to raise money for the north-east charity, this redoubtable individual has signed up to walk the renowned Great Wall of China in September, all in aid of Ness, which supports people living with a visual and/or hearing impairment.
Ms Benzie, who has always loved Far Eastern culture, is keen to test herself by undertaking the vigorous climbs and myriad twists and turns on the 10-day odyssey.
She said: “As someone who lives life to the full, I am in awe of the sensory-impaired people who come along to the café each day.
“The Great Wall of China trek seemed like the perfect way to raise money for Ness and get the chance to experience some real Chinese culture at the same time.”
Deborah is no stranger to participating in sponsored walks and used to take part in them at Braemar as a child.
She said: “My family regularly undertook walks for mountain rescue, and I have enjoyed walking ever since.”
She is also an experienced fundraiser for Ness. By selling her popular cakes and fudge, Deborah has raised enough money already to provide new plates and cups for the café.
However, she has bigger goals in the months ahead and said: “My bakes and fudge always sell out quickly, but this time I wanted to step up my fundraising and raise a significant sum.”
At the café, which is open to members of the public as well as Ness service members, Deborah lays on homemade hot meals as well as soup and sandwiches.
She said: “We have some great volunteers who help us to prepare, shop and cook.
“Our customers are a lovely friendly group and when Ness holds its activities for older members, the café can become very busy.”
Deborah’s walk takes place from September 8 to 18. She has launched her fundraising campaign already, by organising several events in the Ness café, including an afternoon tea and a Mexican dinner.
If you would like to sponsor Deborah and help her raise money for blind and/or deaf people in the north east, call her on 0345 27 12345 or visit http://www.justgiving.com/ Deborah-Benzie.