STAR of hit musical Grease - Olivia Newton-John - is leading a team of stars from the UK, Australia and America, along with everyday survivors of cancer, in a 21-day trek along the Great Wall of China to raise money for cancer.

The team joining Olivia includes Sir Cliff Richard, Joan Rivers, Scott Wolf and Dannii Minogue.

The UK team joining Olivia include Toyah Willcox, Anton Du Beke, Sarah Cawood, Tom Chambers, Martina Laird, Gemma Atkinson, Marcus Patrick and Liz Fuller.

The money raised will go towards the Olivia Newton-John Cancer Centre in Australia. The centre will be the primary site for clinical trials globally.

It will provide dedicated research facilities and clinical trials, with the development of future cancer vaccines and therapies.

Olivia said: "I'm touched and honoured to be supported by such an eclectic and interesting group of people, it's really humbling and inspiring".

The team will face a tough physical and mental challenge, trekking 228 kilometres along the Great Wall of China, from April 7.

The journey will begin with Olivia's team on a mountain trek with 40-degree gradients, winding through dust storms into the Gobi Desert as they head towards their final destination, Beijing.

Olivia added: "It will be difficult and confronting, like life, there will be many ups and downs and unforseen challenges, every step will remind me of my own wellness journey and getting beyond cancer".

One in three Brits is touched by cancer. The star's personal experience with breast cancer 15 years ago led her to partner with the Austin Hospital in 2003, in her former hometown Melbourne, to create a comprehensive cancer and wellness centre for the treatment, care and research of all types of cancer.

She explained: "I will walk for the friends I have lost and for the many others who are engaged in their wellness journeys as we walk this historical metaphor of strength and endurance.

"Each step that my team and I take will bring us closer to a realisation or our cancer and wellness centre and a healthier world."

Each participant will support Olivia by appealing to their friends and fans to sponsor their steps via the Great Walk to Beijing website, www.greatwalktobeijing.com , where progress reports on the trek and the ability for everyone to donate to support their favourite celebrity will be available.