16 Jul 2026 Community

Jessica Takes on the Great Wall of China for The Kirkwood

Having already stood on the Great Wall of China once before, Jessica Nugent-Herrett is preparing to return, but for a very different reason.

Instead of sightseeing, Jessica will be joining The Kirkwood's Great Wall of China Trek to help celebrate the charities 40th anniversary, raising vital funds while taking on one of the biggest personal challenges of her life.

Although she's visited China before, this trek will be unlike anything she's experienced. As well as testing herself physically, Jessica is looking forward to travelling solo for the first time, meeting new people and stepping outside her comfort zone, all while supporting a cause that means a great deal to her local community.

Jessica, who works at Ridley & Hall, was first inspired to sign up because of the special milestone the trek celebrates. As The Kirkwood marks its 40th anniversary and Ridley & Hall celebrates its 100th year, the challenge felt like the perfect way to commemorate two landmark occasions.

Speaking about what inspired her to take part, Jessica said:

"At first, it was the anniversary aspect that drew me in. The Kirkwood is celebrating 40 years, and the firm I work at, Ridley & Hall, is celebrating its 100th year. I took a bit of time to think about it though, as it is a huge leap, and as I reflected on the opportunity, I realised it could become much more of a personal growth experience.

"Since turning 30, I've been trying to take better care of my health and make a real effort to challenge myself. In fact, it was my personal trainer, Ethan, who encouraged me to say yes. Taking on this trek will be a good test of just how far I've come.

"I've also never travelled alone before, so I think it will be a great opportunity to step outside my comfort zone, meet new people and share an unforgettable adventure."

Although this will be Jessica's biggest physical challenge to date, China itself is a familiar destination.

"I've been to China before, on a trip for my 30th birthday, where I travelled across several different towns and cities. One of my strongest memories is visiting the Great Wall at Mutianyu. We always joked that we made the mistake of walking up the steps instead of taking the skylift, and I still remember how gruelling it was. The Wall is much steeper than people expect, so I know this trek is going to be a real challenge.

"I've also completed the 999 steps at Tianmen Mountain, although I honestly felt like the Great Wall had even more! Those experiences have given me a glimpse of what to expect, but this trek will definitely be on a completely different level."

Jessica's connection to The Kirkwood has grown since moving to Huddersfield after meeting her husband at the University of Huddersfield.

"I'm not originally from Huddersfield; I grew up in Doncaster and moved here after meeting my husband at the University of Huddersfield. Over the years, I've come to love the town and enjoy supporting the local community wherever I can. Through my work, I became aware of The Kirkwood, and we regularly take part in the Starlight Walk to support its efforts.

"A few years ago, a close colleague had a relative who received care from The Kirkwood, which really brought home the importance of the support it provides. We organised a skydive to raise money for Maggie's, another charity that helped their family, and taking part in this trek feels like a meaningful way to also give back to The Kirkwood, which played such an important role in their care."

Looking ahead to The Kirkwood's milestone anniversary, Jessica hopes the charity continues to thrive for many years to come.

"I think it's fantastic [that The Kirkwood is turning 40]. At a time when so many businesses and charities are facing significant challenges, we often hear stories of organisations struggling to succeed. That's why it's so important to celebrate a success story, particularly when the support The Kirkwood provides is needed more than ever.

"I hope I'll be able to join in the celebrations when The Kirkwood marks its 50th, 60th, 70th anniversaries and many more beyond."

We're looking for 40 amazing trekkers to join us on an unforgettable journey across one of the world's most iconic landmarks – the Great Wall of China.

This is more than a trek. It's a chance to challenge yourself, create memories that will last a lifetime, and raise vital funds to help The Kirkwood continue caring for local people and families when they need it most.

Only 40 places are available… will you be one of them?

Sign up now: https://bit.ly/GreatWallofChina27