Raised so far: £802.50
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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/annadeardenchinatrek

Many congratulations Anna - what a super effort Donation by Eileen Ainscough (Atherton) 18/10/09  

£5.00 + £1.41 Gift Aid

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

£2.50 + £0.71 Gift Aid

Well done!!!! I told you I'd do it. Can't wait to hear all about it! Donation by Donna 16/10/09  

£5.00 + £1.41 Gift Aid

Very well done Anna Donation by Brenda and Margaret (at Pensioner Link) 15/10/09  

£12.00 + £3.38 Gift Aid

Well done!! Glad you had a fantastic time. Can't wait to hear all about it! Donation by Cheryl and Rob 08/10/09  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

Congrats! glad this isn't too late :) M fx Donation by Margaret Cameron 05/10/09  

Good Luck girl! Have a great time and let us know all about it when you get back!! Lou & Mark x Donation by Louise Shaw 28/09/09  

£10.00

hi anna just have a great time and enjoy yourself love sue & phil xxx Donation by susan woodward 24/09/09  

£20.00

all the best anna love val Donation by val walsh 24/09/09  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Hey anna, good luck for the climb. Let me know how it goes. Your doing a great thing and fulfilling a lifelong ambition. All the best. Sophie xxx Donation by Sophie Sheldrake 24/09/09  

£5.00

Hey bella Just wanted to wish you the best, because you're one of the best there is! X Donation by Peter Ward 21/09/09  

£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid

Good luck sweetie Ill be thinking of you xxx Donation by Lisa Gilbert 21/09/09  

£5.00 + £1.41 Gift Aid

Very jealous, what an experience! Good luck and see you when you get back! xxx Donation by Katherine 20/09/09  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Good Luck, take care and have fun along the way! Donation by Sarah Swain 19/09/09  

£15.00 + £4.23 Gift Aid

At last!! Good luck Anna Bean. Mwah!! xx Donation by Samantha Williams 19/09/09  

£15.00 + £4.23 Gift Aid

Good luck Anna - take lots of pictures and see u when you get back x Donation by Natalie Jefferies 19/09/09  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

Good Luck Anna!!! Have fun, and come back safe! xxxxxxx 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

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

Good luck with the trek, you're doing an amazing thing and I have complete admiration for you!! Good times!! xx Donation by Nat Alwash 17/09/09  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Good luck love! Maybe don't wear the pink high heels for this? After this walk, how about walking up to Newcastle?! x Donation by joy 04/09/09  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

good luck anna, have fun! xxx Donation by abigail atterbury 03/09/09  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

Good luck!! Donation by Krotim 03/09/09  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

What another holiday!!!! Good luck happy walking Donation by Kate Morgan 03/09/09  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Hope you have a fantastic time Anna :) Donation by Lisa Appleby 02/09/09  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

All the best Anna! You'll be brilliant! Don't forget the plasters and of course the essential first aid kit! love you! Han x Donation by Hannah Gordon 02/09/09  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Ciao Anna, In bocca al lupo. xx Donation by Peter Wallace 17/08/09  

Hope you`ve got a pair of comfi shoes!! GOOD LUCK and enjoy the walk, Annicka! (it`s more than across the whole Czech Republick!!!!!) Donation by Martina 08/08/09  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

Hey!!! Look who finally got on here!!! Have a fantastic time - I wish I could have joined you!! love from Becky xx Donation by Rebecca Williams 06/08/09  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Good luck Anna! Enjoy the amazing experience! Love from Jenny x Donation by Jenny Williams 06/08/09  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid
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* Total raised online: £802.50
  Offline donations: £0.00
  Gift Aid plus supplement: £197.29

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