Kevin Wells the father of murdered Soham schoolgirl Holly is set to trek the Great Wall of China to help children affected by bereavement.

Mr Wells is tackling the hike with friends Robert Wright of Dullingham and Ali Msabaha of Soham, to raise money for Grief Encounter, the charity he has been patron of for the past 11 years, which helps youngsters come to terms with loss.

On September 5 The Brook in Soham is hosting a Prosecco charity party night with live music, disco and raffle to help raise funds for Mr Wells and his friends’ charity challenge.

Tickets are on sale now priced £10 and can be obtained from Mr Wells on 07771-908461 or 01353 723535 or from The Brook on 01353 721748.

Writing on his justgiving page Mr Wells, who lives in Redhouse Gardens with his wife Nicola, said:

“After losing my daughter Holly in 2002, I both witnessed and experienced the effects that bereavement and the uninvited grieving process can have on your life and your future.

“At Grief Encounter, our role is to provide bereaved children with an understanding of what and how to deal with their circumstances and emotions in order to secure a chance to move forwards and regain a sense of purpose and direction.

“Since becoming Patron of Grief Encounter in 2004, the charity has grown enormously. The staff and team members associated at the sharp end of dealing with children and their families, touched by tragedy, have and continue to work to capacity, making an amazing difference to so many people.”

Ten-year-old Holly and her friend Jessica Chapman were murdered in August 2002 by local school caretaker Ian Huntley.

He was sentenced to two life sentences in December 2003, which was later increased to a minimum of 40 years imprisonment by the high court.

To donate to Mr Well’s charity trek visit: www.justgiving.com/Kevin-WellsCharityChallenge