Sir,

A few years ago, I did a charity trek on the Great Wall of China for the Breast Cancer Campaign. About this time last year, the Breast Cancer Campaign charity wrote and asked if I would be interested in doing a reunion challenge in the Grand Canyon. I agreed to join them, but later found that no one from the Great Wall of China has joined the trek. Not put off by that, I decided to do the challenge. I paid the registration fee of £400, and agreed that I would self-fund the challenge, covering the cost of flights, accommodation, insurance and incidentals, and that all monies raised would go to the charity.

After negotiating the medical forms, I was accepted. The next challenge was to raise funds, asking local businesses for sponsorship, organising BBQs, coffee mornings, quiz nights, and cheese and wine evenings.

Left Narberth by train for Heathrow airport, meeting some of my other trekkers as I entered the terminal. Every one excited by the challenge.

Take the flight to Newark airport, two-hour wait, then the flight to Pheonix, Arizona, and seven hours time difference. Met by representatives of the company, taken to the first night's accommodation at The Holiday Inn arriving at 10.15 pm local time, 5 am UK time, which meant we had be travelling nearly 24 hours. A quick briefing regarding the next day. Breakfast at 7 am, leaving at 7.30 am in three vehicles and trailers, and nine passengers to each vehicle.

Travelling through the Sonoran Desert onto high elevation plateaus and red rock canyons of North America to Sedona. Next day travel to Hualapai Hilltop; starting at 5,400 feet, this demanding trail begins with winding switchbacks until it reaches a dry streambed where it begins to level out, reaching the village of Havasupai which has the last post office in the US that's still serviced by mule train.

Next challenge arriving at the Mooney Falls, decending a steep trail with tunnels and ladders cut into brittle stone.

Then trek up Carbonate Canyon to explore the Havasu falls, heading to Navajo falls.

The final day trek along the same path used for our decent. An intense arduous climb, and reaching the rim is a feeling you'll never forget.

During our time in the canyon, we slept under canvas, with no running water except a tributary of the Colorada river, no flush toilet, no electricity and no communication with the outside world. No fires or smoking allowed in the park.

Meals in the evening by torchlight.

The final evening was spent in Las Vegas with a celebratory meal.

The amount raised was £1,795 and I would like to thank the following sponsors: Fossa Sports, G. D. Harries, Liz Coffee Shop, Lewis & Lewis Solicitors, W. and M. J. Rossiter Funeral Directors, Andrew Rees and Sons Butchers, Martin James Health Club, Ivy Bush Inn, Narberth, Josh Griffiths Butchers, Narberth Rugby Club, C. K. Narberth, County Councillors Elwyn Morse, Peter Morgan, Rob Lewis, Simon Hart MP, Ruth Platt, Mayor of Narberth's charity award, and finally Mrs. Caerei McIntosh for all her help in arranging the cheese and wine evening, also all the other people who sponsored, gift aided or donated to the Breast Cancer Campaign Charity.

Nick Evans