A SUPPORT worker from a Taunton charity is walking the Great Wall of China in order to raise money to support homeless people.

Isabella Cross is undertaking a 10-day trip from April 13 until 23, starting off in Beijing, before embarking on a gruelling trek.

She hopes to raise money for Taunton Association for the Homeless (TAH), where she has worked as a support worker since July 2016.

She said: “I have seen what amazing work the charity has done and the good it has done for the community.

“Due to the economic climate and the continued pressures modern people face homelessness has increased 120 per cent since 2010, according to the 2013 government report.

“Recently you may have seen more rough sleepers visible in the town centre, and homelessness as a whole is become more of a problem with increasing figures.

“This is putting more pressure on services like Outreach, Open Door and TAH to ensure there is the support available for those that need it at this tough time.”

Miss Cross is hoping people will donate and sponsor her to complete the task.

She added: “I want to raise as much as I possibly can so it can continue to help people in their darkest time.

“This money will make a huge difference for everyone, not just the rough sleeper but the community of Taunton.”

The trek, organised through Discover Adventure, will see Miss Cross trek for 10 days circling an area starting and finishing in Beijing.

Rosie Hather, fundraising and communications officer for TAH, said: “Izzy is doing such an inspir ing and fantastic thing, and we’re so thrilled that she’s chosen to do it in aid of TAH. It is a great way of supporting us and the funds raised will be of great help to the work we do to support the homeless in Somerset.

“Please support Izzy to support us by kindly spon-soring her through her Just Giving page. Every penny helps.”

To donate to Isabella visit justgiving.com/fundraising/Isabella-Cross