Update: Gemma Lockwood

Background information I have worked for drpgroup just short of five years, starting as a project manager and last year being promoted to senior project manager with a team of eight project managers and five event assistants. Before this I spent two years working for an event catering company following graduation from Leeds Metropolitan University with a first class honours degree in event management. Sum yourself up in one sentence A hard working passionate perfectionist. Background of the company Established in 1980 by Dale Parmenter, the drpgroup have developed into a market leading company providing clients with award winning communication solutions. From strategic and creative communication planning through to production and delivery of the communication itself, we draw on our 30 years of experience to provide live events solutions incorporating, video, digital media and team building elements all from under one roof. With facilities in the heart of London and our extensive technical production studios located at our midlands base, we have the capacity to deliver exceptional events of all sizes without the need for our clients to manage multiple suppliers for the same event. Our specialist teams understand what it takes to create impactful communications that offer value without compromise, always ensuring anything's possible for our clients. How did it come about you taking on this kind of challenge? The drpgroup have been supporting Springboard for the past five years. We provide the event production and project management for the annual fundraiser event in London each year, support the judging process for the annual awards and last year ran an eight week programme for long term unemployed young people in the local area to learn skills and gain practical experience in the events industry. The China challenge was launched at the annual fundraiser and I just couldn't say no! What does The Springboard Charity mean to you? Being involved in the eight week Believe Programme last year really gave me a firsthand insight into the vital work that the Springboard team do. Seeing the change and development in the 15 young people over the eight weeks and how life changing the support we were giving them is, was really humbling. How is your training for The Great Wall going to date? I've been wearing my boots in on long walks and just came back from a holiday in Italy where we were on the fourth floor of a hotel – each day I made sure I didn't take the lift and walked up and down the 82 steps at least six times a day. How do you feel about going on the trek? I'm really excited about the challenge and the life experience that will come from completing the trek. Still a little anxious about the fundraising but working hard to exceed the targets set. Have you ever done anything of this sort before? No, this is my first time taking part in a charity challenge of this scale but having watched and supported our technical services team complete the three peaks challenge for charity last year I was really inspired to take on the challenge. Have you had much support, if so who from? The drpgroup have of course been a great source of sponsorship and encouragement. I would like to thank all of the client and personal sponsors who have really got me on my way. Tell me about some of the fundraising events you have been doing so far and what you have planned in the future? I have been working with the Event Management Students at Leeds Metropolitan University and Northampton University. Each University has a group of students who will be completing charity events in March for Springboard. These include a Charity Golf Day and a Quiz Bingo Night, both events including raffles, auctions and various additional fundraisers. I'm also in talks with my local David Lloyd Gym in producing a charity step-a-thon and my team at drp are going to be having a bag packing day at our local supermarket. What do you hope to get out of t