THE DAUGHTER of a much-loved family man, who battled tirelessly against a cruel disease, travelled to China to raise vital funds for charity. 

Kristy Stordy, from Bridport, spent 10 gruelling days trekking the Great Wall of China, raising a staggering £13,000 for the Alzheimer's Society. 

It is the latest in a string of challenges Mrs Stordy has been determined to complete to raise funds for a charity that is close to her heart. 

Mrs Stordy's father - Jon Lee, from Loders – was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 2011. Mr Lee was a popular and much-loved member of the community who spent more than 30 years on stage and running the stables at Freshwater Beach Holiday Park, helping create magical memories for thousands of families.

But his own memories were cruelly taken from him by the disease. 

Mrs Stordy said: “There was nothing dad wouldn’t do for us and he’s the reason I did what I did. I went to see dad before I went to China. I told him what I was going to do and he shed tears. He knew what I was going to do and that it was okay. I wanted to raise as much money as possible."

The Great Wall of China trek took Mrs Stordy, along with many others, 10 days, most of which were spent walking for at least eight hours.

"It was an incredible challenge," said Mrs Stordy. "We all came together for the Alzheimer’s Society and have all been affected by the disease. It was an amazing trek but it was tough going. 

"I spoke about my dad a lot on the trip. We held a minute silence in one of the provinces and it was the most emotional part of the trip. I had dad’s cufflinks and his tissue with me the whole time and cried tears of joy as I completed the challenge, which was so tough. My dad kept me going and it was all for him."

Mrs Stordy's mother, Kim, would sit beside her husband and tell him all about Mrs Stordy's progress.

"Mum would sit with dad and tell him all about what I was doing and that I was okay," said Mrs Stordy. "She was utterly devoted to him."

Mrs Stordy arrived back in the UK at the beginning of November and was able to tell her father all about her travels. 

He passed away on December 5, aged 75, leaving behind Kim, Kristy and her four siblings. 

“Nothing prepares you for when they go,” said Mrs Stordy. “It’s devastating. But it makes me well up thinking about how loved he was. 

"I would do the trek all over again in a heartbeat. In 2019 I will take on another big challenge and I will take on another memory walk soon, only this time it will be in dad's memory."