Raised so far: £785.50
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My story

 
October 21st: Amount raised so far (with GiftAid)... £2,001 (and 20p)!

My Story

Well, what can I say? I am back from China with almost 300 photos, 22 new friends and hundreds of memories. Having had an idea of what this trip would entail and a pre-made concept of what the trek would be like, I have to say that the entire experience has blown me away. Completely excelled my expectations on every level. Although this was a challenging adventure, it is one that I am finding difficult to put into words to anyone else. I can’t really explain how I felt when I saw the splendour of the Great Wall for the first time, or the honour to be so warmly welcomed into the lives of the local farmers during our trek and I know that no amount of words will ever enable people to appreciate the Great Wall of China for all its worth unless they are to visit it themselves.

The trek brought many different challenges. Hiking along unrestored ruins, trekking through and up mountain ranges, climbing up hundreds of steps, tackling exhaustion, humidity and heights is no easy feat but only adds to what I can honestly say is the best thing I have ever done. Despite the tough parts, I have experienced so much during this trip that I feel fortunate to have experienced. Spending time with the local villagers, eating their food, listening to their music, sitting around their bonfires and trekking through their land brought me closer to the Chinese culture than I had ever hoped. I enjoyed things I didn’t think I would; such as squatting to use the toilet, sleeping on a concrete bed, eating breakfast with chopsticks. All this made the trip all the more extraordinary.

Recognition has to go to the group that I travelled to China and shared this experience with. Having the most wonderful, enthusiastic and knowledgeable local guide, Alan, meant that all of my many, many questions about the history of China and the Great Wall were answered, and the wide array of ages, background and experience of the members of the group meant that I enjoyed some funny, silly, memorable and, at times just downright rude moments which, put together, made for an incredible experience.

I have had a truly wonderful adventure and the fact that I have been able to raise money for two fantastic charities that mean so very much to me has made this all the more special. Once again, a huge Thank you to everyone that has sponsored me. It really does mean a lot to me and will be of great help to both of my charities, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children and Derby Kids’ Camp. From the bottom of my heart, Thank you. Anybody who still wishes to donate can do so for a further few weeks, via either of my two sites or by going through me.

And to my fellow Great Wall trekkers Sean, Alex, Katy, Lyndsey, Jude, Sam, Suz, Helena, Karla, Alison, Maria, Jane, Sally Julia, Pat, Kay, Di, Julie, Steve, Adrian, Adam and Stacey; Thank you for a fantastic and fun journey…. Haven’t we got some stories?! :o)

For my other site go to www.justgiving.com/annadeardengreatwallofchina

Well done Anna. Lots of love x Donation by Kerry, Liz, Nat and Abby (Coal Authority) 19/10/09  

£13.00 + £3.67 Gift Aid

Well done!!!! Told you I would do it! Can't wait to hear all about it next time I work with you! x Donation by Donna 16/10/09  

£5.00 + £1.41 Gift Aid

Very well done Anna. Donation by Gill Denison 16/10/09  

£2.50 + £0.71 Gift Aid

I have given up Bananas for two days & donated to you're good cause, Good Luck! :-) xxx Donation by Dave McCartney 25/09/09  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

I have nothing but admiration for your endeavour mate. xx 搭载请 - apparently this is the Chinese for 'Piggyback please' :-) Donation by Andy Newson 21/09/09  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

Have fun. Donation by Anthony Welch 20/09/09  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Hey anna Hope you have a great time and all goes well your a star! Rob and Abi xxx Donation by Robert Bradley 20/09/09  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

Enjoy the experience, take lots of photos and remember it is another thing ticked off your long list of things to do .... what's next? Donation by Sarah Swain 19/09/09  

£15.00 + £4.23 Gift Aid

Whoop Whoop Anna! Good luck Bean. Lots of love xxx Donation by Samantha Williams 19/09/09  

£15.00 + £4.23 Gift Aid

Good Luck!! I'll see you when your back for a week earned drink!! Donation by Michelle Toone 18/09/09  

£5.00 + £1.41 Gift Aid

Good luck, come back soon! Donation by Rainforest Ward Doctors' whip round (half of it)! 17/09/09  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

GOSH gets enough of my time and money!! Go for it girl!!! Donation by Kate Powell 17/09/09  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

My Pink Flirtatious chic! Wish u all da best, have fun, stay safe n Good Luck! LUB u BIG HUG! <3 can juz c you in ur Pink clothes lukn HOT! ;-) Donation by Ruki <3 17/09/09  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

goodluck sweetheart, you and Katy have a blast. Donation by Robert and Renae Ferguson-Wieman 17/09/09  

£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid

Good luck Anna!! Mmmm! I'm thinking you should sneak in a skate board for the down hill bits :-) xxx Donation by Carlos Seton-Smith 07/09/09  

£200.00 + £56.41 Gift Aid

Good luck with the trek! 8-) Jamie and Lisa Donation by Jamie Edwards 04/09/09  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

Good luck Spanna!xx Donation by steph 03/09/09  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Have a good one! Take care of yourself. S x Donation by Sarah Murfin 02/09/09  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Good luck Anna, hope it goes well! X Donation by Liam and Nickki (from camp!) 19/08/09  

£10.00

You're mad! Good luck! Donation by Jane 16/08/09  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Break a leg! Meg Donation by Meg Jackson 16/08/09  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Yes I've made it on here 2!! Good luck girl!! Make sure you pack light!! lol love Beckyxx Donation by Rebecca Williams 06/08/09  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Enjoy yourself!! love Jenny Donation by Jenny Williams 06/08/09  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

Go Girl! Donation by Jillian Hirst 06/08/09  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

Good luch babe! xxxxxxx Donation by Lizzy 06/08/09  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

Can't think of anything I'd rather do with my leaving present money than donate it to you. Come back in one piece! Donation by Carly Redington 09/05/09  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

Good luck Anna. Don't forget the emergency skittles supply!! Have a great time!! Love you. Katy xxx Donation by Katy 18/04/09  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

Good luck Anna. Hope you have a lovely time. Lots of love. G & G xxx Donation by Grandma & Grandad 18/04/09  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

Good luck and have a fantastic time!! Lots of love Rachael & Andy xxx Donation by Rachael & Andy 18/04/09  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

Good luck Anna. Would love to join you but I don't think the batteries in my mobility scooter would last. Love you xxx Donation by Grandma 05/04/09  

£15.00 + £4.23 Gift Aid
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* Total raised online: £785.50
  Offline donations: £0.00
  Gift Aid plus supplement: £215.91

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