Adoption-net's trek winner Avril Head has begun her ten day fund-raising adventure in China.

Avril is pictured (5th from the right) with other trekers just before they left from Heathrow airport yesterday.

Since being chosen last month to go on the ten-day trek, has been flooded with pledges of support amounting to more than £1,000.

The money, together with Adoption-net's £2,000 sponsorship, is for the British Agencies for Adoption and Fostering and a Chinese fostering project Care for Children.

Before she set off, she told Adoption-net of her sadness at leaving her disabled foster child, Andrew.

"As The days have gone on I kept hoping I would not hurt a toe or hurt a leg or something. I have had awful pangs about leaving Andrew and my stomach is doing leaps from head to toe.

"Having said that I am so excited I do not know where to put myself! Thank you so much for choosing me I am so thrilled and hope that I will do you proud and achieve all that we hoped to gain from this challenge."

She said she was particularly looking forward to meeting members of the Care for Children project during the trip.

If you would like to sponsor Avril or send her a message of support contact us.

See also:

'I'm so humbled by what people have said' The one that didn't say goodbye
'I don't foster for social services, I do it for the children'
I'm on Cloud Nine, says winner
Avril's winning entry