Hallidays ‘Team China’ return to the UK victorious
5 Hallidays (Stockport) team members have returned to the UK having raised over £5,500 for the Seashell Trust by walking the Great Wall of China. Each team member completed the whole of the trek, walking over 62km each over 5 days. They encountered rocky terrain, scrub forest and steep challenging climbs – the most challenging being a climb of 400 steps up a 70 degree incline to one of the highest restored watch towers on the Great Wall. From these incredible heights there were amazing views, which at times proved slightly too distracting as one team member had a near slip down a ravine!
“There was no typical day but we would usually be up by 7am and walking before 8.30am and the days varied in length and difficulty but each day had its own unique challenges, whether it be the first day when we had to adjust to the number of steep ascents or the last when limbs were getting very tired and sore. The longest day involved a trek of 18km and that was also the day when the heavens opened in the afternoon drenching all involved.
On behalf of the 5 of us we are very grateful for all the support shown to us by our colleagues at Hallidays, our clients, families and friends both in terms of encouragement and their generous sponsorship of our efforts.”
John Pope, Client Manager – Hallidays LLP
Over 1,190 hours have been contributed personally by the whole Hallidays team to raise funds and support the Seashell Trust. This has included various fundraising events including a Casino Night at Hallidays, Ladies’ nights, a spinathon and a charity car wash. Team members have also spent time at the Seashell Trust and have assisted with cleaning, gardening and constructing a new shed.
“Seashell Trust is very grateful for all the hard work team members have put into raising funds so far. We realise that with busy jobs and pressing work commitments it can sometimes feel like an uphill struggle. Hopefully when you come and see the difference your fundraising makes to the profoundly disabled children, many of whom live here, you will feel it has all been very worthwhile.”
Dominic Tinner, Head of Fundraising – Seashell Trust
The team from Hallidays would also like to thank their sponsors Metronet, Creative Support, Elite Performance Fitness and NatWest.
Anyone wishing to make a donation to the team can visit: www.virginmoneygiving.com/team/Hallidays
The Seashell Trust, Hallidays’ chosen charity for 2013, is based in Cheadle Hulme and operates a school, a college and a residential home for children, young people and adults with complex needs and disabilities including deafness, blindness and autism, combined with physical disabilities and profound learning difficulties. For more information visit www.seashelltrust.org.uk.
