Falmouth, Devoran firm hold Chinese Week

The Oriental touch is boosting an upcoming charity trek along the Great Wall of China by Richard Orsman, the company’s managing director, who has set himself a fund-raising target of £5,000.

Richard, 46, was inspired to do the trek after his mother-in-law, Jean Green, died at Mount Edgcumbe Hospice, St Austell, after six days of “incredibly dedicated” care and support there.

From October 11 to 19, along with 13 fellow walkers from Cornwall, he will cover around 100 miles in aid the hospices at Mount Edgcumbe and St Julia’s, Hayle.

For his company’s “Chinese Week” – and up to completion of the trek - staff will be running a raffle in aid the hospices, with a bumper bundle of prizes including two bottles of champagne, a wine presentation gift box, shower unit and TV digibox.

The Chinese costumes and hats were bought on eBay, which, as general manager Lucy Willis says, “may well result in some even stranger appearances for us as they’re not exactly the best of fits!”

Richard, in special training for the last six months, said: “I don’t mind how daft my staff look if they’re bringing in extra money for this cause.

“My trek is a huge challenge, but it just seems the very least I can do to say thank you to the incredibly dedicated people at the hospices and to help support their good work for others. “It’s very sad that money has to be raised in this way, but that’s how it is and I want to do my bit to help – and I am truly grateful to everyone who has already sent donations.”

The care given to patients and their families is provided free of charge but costs over £5 million annually, with only 13 per cent being funded by the Government.