In October 2025, I’ll be spending a week trekking a stretch of The Great Wall of China.

I’ll begin four hours north of Beijing, the challenge will see me climb over 10,000 uneven steps following the winding path along the Yan Mountains to the Gubeikou Gateway and take on the famous “Heavenly Staircase”

The challenges ends after 5 full days of trekking in the city of Beijing.

Why am I doing this? Well, I’m on a personal mission to see all the Seven Wonders of the World, and this will be my 4th. But more importantly, I’m looking to raise both money and awareness for a brilliant charity set up in memory of my cousin Jim Simpson, who tragically died in 2020.

HELP - Jim’s Story is a charity with the aim to increase knowledge, awareness and understanding around mental health, and the impact of poor mental health. It is a fund under the Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity Umbrella.

I have never really been a walker or a hiker, but I’m currently in training for a Himalayan Trek I’m undertaking with a group of work colleagues in April, and have been surprised just how much of positive an effect this exercise is having on my mental health, as well as the physical benefits. So when this opportunity came up I jumped at the chance, and can’t wait to experience a challenge on this scale at one of the most famous landmarks in the world!

Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

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