China trek 10th - 18th October 2009

Thanks for visiting my Fund raising page.
 

In October this Year I am going to China to walk 5 sections of the Great Wall of China.  I am doing this to raise money for T.S.Goodwin SCC, Richmond Unit of the Sea Cadet Corps.   The 5 sections of the great wall I am walking are in the Beijing municipality of China.  The sections are at Simatai, Jinshanling, Gubeikou, Mutianyu, and the Black Dragon Paw Park in Lijiang.  The Idea of the trek is an endurance event, walking five consecutive days rather than on the distance travelled.   Each day varies in length, the first and last days are about 4 hours of walking the other days range from 5-7 hours.

I have been in training for this trek.  It started with a weekend in Snowdonia National Park, where during the weekend I reached the summit of Mount Snowdon.  I went with a group walking in the Brecon Beacons in the pouring rain climbing penny fan and cribin.  Recently I have been up to the Lake District at Derwent water in Keswick for a training weekend climbing a number of hills including Catsbells.  In between I have been walking in Richmond Park and the surrounding areas.  

The Sea Cadet Corps is a nationwide voluntary youth organisation; open to young people aged 10 to 18.  Junior Sea Cadet sections, where locally established, are open to young people aged 10 to 12 years of age.  Those aged from 13 to 18 may also join Marine Cadet Detachments (MCD), where established within Sea Cadet Units, as Marine Cadets.* 

The aim of the Sea Cadet Corps (SCC) is to help young people towards responsible adulthood and to encourage them to reach their potential by developing valuable personal attributes and high standards of conduct, using a nautical theme based on the customs and traditions of the Royal Navy.*  

Each Unit has to raise their own funds as we do not get direct funding from the Royal Navy.  The money raised will go towards a new unit Minibus.  The reason for this is because the emissions regulations are being tightened up every year, sooner or later our current minibus will have to be modified or taken off of the road.  

We use our Minibus to attend numerous events and competitions locally and around the country throughout the year.  These include water sports competitions such as sailing, canoeing and Pulling (rowing) as well as swimming, athletics and 5 a side football.  We also take part in the Trafalgar parade in Trafalgar Square, The Lord Mayors Show as well as other events.  With the Hectic schedule we would find it difficult to get our staff and cadets to the events in which the unit participates without a minibus.

I have paid all the costs involved with this trip.  All money raised will go towards a new unit Minibus to enable us to continue with the large number of events we are involved.  

So please any donations will be greatly received.  

Many thanks  

Andrew  

*from SCC Regulations