A computing tutor from Bedford College has raised nearly £4,500 for Great Ormond Street Hospital Children’s Charity after taking on a lifelong dream to walk the Great Wall of China.
Programme manager Daniel Hulatt completed the five-day challenge to thank the hospital for delivering over 25 life-changing surgeries during his childhood and supporting his family members.
Personal journey
Routine trips for medical intervention throughout his youth left Daniel determined to complete the challenge in honour of the support he received.
Between 2009 and 2011, Daniel studied at Central Bedfordshire College, where the IT team provided support so he could continue his studies while recovering from surgery.
Daniel now works at Bedford College, part of The Bedford College Group, helping educate students across the borough.
Physical challenge
Reflecting on the five-day trek, Daniel said: “Every day of the walk was different. For me, day two was one of the hardest days as we spent two hours going uphill.
“In those two hours we had travelled ½ KM and 1000m elevation from the start location in 80% humidity. This meant I had to learn how to walk uphill at an incline you wouldn’t normally experience, channelling my inner mountain goat.
“On the last day we also did a staircase which was referred to as a ‘stairway to heaven’. This staircase was the equivalent height of a tower block, but the distance travelled was no more than a few metres.
“It went directly up with steps that were always inconsistent in height, with a direct drop behind. I remember getting halfway up and struggling to manage the emotions of having got this far despite every challenge for 23 years, combined with the fear of falling backwards and everything that went with that thought.
“I wanted to do this challenge as it gave me something to push towards in my recovery, and in 2017 I walked the Thames Path Challenge as part of my plan to prepare for this challenge.
“I can say with absolute confidence that without the life-changing surgeries that I received, I would not be teaching at the college, let alone able to work.”
Lasting impact
In addition to raising £4,489, Daniel said the trek in China marked a profound personal milestone.
He said: “Throughout, I felt a sense of peace that I have never felt in my life before that moment.
“This trip has fundamentally changed how I see myself, how I approach a challenge, and I’m still figuring that out, but that sense of inner peace has not left me.”
