Great Wall trek success for Ayrshire Hospice

Apr 17 2009 by Yonnie McInnes

TAKING part in the Great Wall of China Trek was one fundraising event these supporters of the Ayrshire Hospice will never forget.

Thirty people from all over Ayrshire are just back from the trek, which it’s hoped will have raised over £100,000 for the charity that needs to raise £3.2m this year to fund the myriad of services it provides for our community.

Cash is still coming in from the numerous sponsors who backed the walkers, and the exact amount raised will be announced at a later date.

The youngest in the party was Euan Stuart, 26, from Ayr, and the oldest, a lady from Dalry who is 75 years young.

Eight walkers from Ayr, two from Dundonald, five from Prestwick, four from Kilmarnock, two each from Irvine and West Kilbride, and one each from Troon, Sorn, Seamill, Kilwinning, Dalry and Essex, joined event organiser Justine Cullen, of the Ayrshire Hospice fundraising department based in Miller Road in Ayr.

Justine said: “We didn’t just walk on the trek, but also found time to do a zip slide across a lake in Simitai, and we also did a 1000ft Luge drop in Mutianyu. We had an extremely challenging time and it was an experience of a lifetime for all of the group.

“We all supported each other when the going got tough, knowing we were doing this for such a good cause. We set off on March 28, flying from Glasgow to Amsterdam and then on to Beijing, which took a further 13 hours.”

The team walked a gruelling 50 to 60 miles every day.

Justine added: “Every couple of days or so we’d change our hotel in Beijing – which is a really large and bustling city – depending on which part of the wall we were trekking.

“On the day we arrived we enjoyed a tour of Tiananmen Square, and the next day our trek began when we transferred by coach to Juyong Guan Pass.

“On day four at Dayingpan we had a varied day of trekking in a beautiful, tranquil area free of tourists, firstly along the wild wall leading to a huge, dilapidated water gate.”

Some of the walkers even managed to climb the massive 1485 steps at the Stairway to Heaven.

Justine went on: “Then some of the brave ones tried the Luge – 1000ft from top to bottom.

“On day six we transferred to the Black Dragon Pool Park, where we spent the day trekking past gorges, waterfalls and pools, leading us up steep inclines to reach a section of wild wall.

“That trek was steep in places and at times very tough going, but punctuated with stunning scenery and a picnic lunch by a temple in the sky.

“And on the last day we trekked from Simitai to Jinshanling with views of China on one side and Mongolia on the other. A wonderful day of trekking in which around 15 towers are truly wild wall.”

And Justine admitted it was an emotional experience.

She went on: “Emotions ran high as we took our final steps off the wall and the challenge came to an end.

“Finally, on day nine we visited the Forbidden City and the Silk Market, departing for home the next day.

“What a trip.”