Great Wall of China Trek

My journey along the Great Wall

At the beginning of 2011, I committed to an organised trek along the Great Wall of China in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support. It began as a personal challenge, but in March that year my father died from lung cancer. From that moment, the trek became something far more meaningful: a journey in his memory.

In October 2011, I joined a determined group of trekkers for five demanding days on one of the world's most remarkable landmarks. We walked for between five and seven hours each day, tackling steep stone steps, narrow paths, rugged mountain ridges and sections of the Wall that seemed to stretch endlessly into the distance.

Preparing for the challenge

This was never going to be an ordinary walk. Training had to build both stamina and strength for repeated climbs, uneven ground and long days on my feet. There was also the fundraising challenge: I set out to raise £3,000 for Macmillan, giving every training mile and every step in China a clear purpose.

The route crossed a mixture of restored and unrestored sections. Where parts of the Wall had become fragmented or impassable, we followed alternative paths through woodland and across rough ground. Flexibility, good preparation and teamwork were just as important as fitness.

Five days on the Wall

Every day brought a different test. Some sections were steep and narrow, demanding concentration and careful footing. Others disappeared into thick undergrowth or led us through muddy woodland. One particularly difficult stretch involved a steep, slippery path through dense trees, where the group worked together to find the safest line and help one another keep their balance.

Despite the physical effort, there were moments when the scale and beauty of the landscape stopped us in our tracks: watchtowers standing above wooded valleys, the Wall rising over distant ridges, and autumn colours spreading across the mountains below. The harder the climb, the more memorable the view seemed to be.

Fundraising and support

With the generosity of friends, family and colleagues, I raised around £3,000 for Macmillan Cancer Support. Knowing that the money would help provide practical, emotional and financial support to people affected by cancer made every difficult step worthwhile.

The encouragement I received at home, together with the support of my fellow trekkers in China, created a real sense of shared purpose. It was a reminder that even the toughest challenges become more manageable when people face them together.

A journey I will never forget

This trek was far more than a test of endurance. It became a journey of remembrance, healing and determination. Walking in my father's memory gave the challenge a significance that has stayed with me ever since.

The photographs capture the dramatic scenery, the difficult terrain and the camaraderie of the group. More importantly, they preserve the story behind the walk: five unforgettable days, one extraordinary place and a cause that made every hard-earned step matter.