A group of six women recently completed the Great Western Air Ambulance Charity’s (GWAAC) Great Wall of China challenge, taking seven and a half days and fundraising over £25,000.
After seven and a half days of between 20,000 and 30,000 steps a day, GWAAC is now sharing their experience with the public.
One of the Seven Wonders of the Medieval World, the Great Wall of China was constructed over 2,000 years ago.
It is the longest wall in the world, the entire Great Wall structure spans some 5,500 miles (8,850 kilometres) from the Korean border in the west into the Gobi desert in the north.
GWAAC’s volunteers for the challenge raised a staggering £25,529 in total after fundraising for a year, and it was all possible thanks to the generosity of the public.
“It was hard and well out of my comfort zone but I know all of our patients are well out of theirs so it seemed a more than appropriate trade off.
“I am so proud I did it, I’m proud of how far Team GWAAC China came as a group and I’m proud of the fantastic amount we all raised,” said Nicole Beebee, Community Fundraising Manager for GWAAC.
Team member Mandy Bancroft said: “I was inspired by GWAAC’s work and wanted to do something to help. The Great Wall of China seemed like a challenge of a lifetime and it was on so many levels.
“I conquered fears, made new friends and have memories that will last forever!”
“It was challenging but I kept telling myself I could do it! It was also thoroughly enjoyable with great companions. Well worth the aching muscles to support a great charity,” said Janet Adams who also was a part of the group.
GWAAC provide the Critical Care and air ambulance service for 2.1 million people across the counties of Bath and North East Somerset, Bristol, South Gloucestershire, Gloucestershire, North Somerset and surrounding areas.
The charity needs to raise over £3 million each year to stay operational, but receive no day to day funding from the Government or National Lottery.
If you’re inspired by a challenge such as this, you can keep up to date with GWAAC’s events on their website here, and read about their next big challenge to climb Mount Kilimanjaro in September 2019.