We are delighted to give you information about the exciting new Let’s Hike or Bike for Children Great
Wall of China Challenge Bike Ride. You will follow an exciting itinerary alongside both restored and
unrestored sections of the magnificent Great Wall finishing with a celebration party in Beijing where
the group will meet up with everyone who has achieved the Great Wall of China challenge as a hiker.
The Great Wall of China Challenge follows previous events in China in 2005, Peru and Jordan and is
certain to be another fantastic experience for everyone involved. If you would like to be part of this
special fundraising register online as soon as possible as places are limited and will be allocated on a
first come, first served basis.
This will be a special experience and something you will remember forever. For in addition to
achieving the challenge of trekking in a spectacular location, you will enjoy fun and friendship with a
wonderful group of people, sharing the knowledge that every step taken benefits sick and
disadvantaged youngsters in the UK.
To take part in the Great Wall of China Challenge Hike you need to pay a non-refundable registration
fee and then pledge to raise minimum sponsorship funds of £3,200. In return your flights (not including
airport and fuel taxes), food, accommodation, guides, transfers, use of bikes etc. will all be provided.
All profits from the challenge will support the work of four charities working to improve the lives of
children – Barnardo’s, Dreams Come True, Kith & Kids and MedEquip4Kids.
If you have never undertaken a fundraising challenge before and are worried about how to raise the
money, we have given some initial fundraising suggestions. Lots more information will be sent to you
once you have registered and we are always available to offer new ideas, give advice and provide
support. Most people who take part in this sort of challenge have never raised this amount of
sponsorship before and reach the minimum target without too much trouble. Many exceed it – often by
thousands of pounds. You can do it!
Please do not hesitate to call or e-mail us if you have any questions at all.
With all good wishes
Gay Bentley-Coleman and Ann Frampton
Event Organisers
Let’s Hike or Bike for Children Great Wall of China Challenge
Action for Charity, Newcourt House, New Street, Lymington, Hampshire SO41 9BQ
Tel: 0845 408 2698 E-mail: events@actionforcharity.co.uk
Let's Hike or Bike for Children is managed by Action for Charity on behalf of Barnardo’s (RCN: 216250 and
SC037605), Dreams Come True (RCN: 800248), Kith & Kids (RCN: 1080972) and MedEquip4Kids (RCN:
1102830). Action for Charity is the trading name of Action Events Limited, Newcourt House, New Street,
Lymington SO41 9BQ. Company Registration No. 3615142.
Let’s Hike or Bike for
children
T O R A I S E F U N D S T O H E L P D I S A D V A N TA G E D A N D S I C K C H I L D R E N
Great Wall of
HIKE or
China Challenge BIKE
YOU
CHOOSE –
Join the Great Wall of China Hike OR the Great Wall of China Bike Ride
14-22 May 2011
Every step taken and every
turn of the pedal will help
four special children’s
charities improve the lives
of sick and disadvantaged
children and young people.
The itineraries are different but both teams will meet for a magnificent
end of challenge celebration in Beijing
Barnardo’s is a registered charity, No.216250 and SCO37605
Dreams Come True is a registered charity, No.800248
Kith & Kids is a registered charity, No.1080972
For more information and to register
www.actionforcharity.co.uk
telephone: 0845 408 2698
e-mail: events@actionforcharity.co.uk
MedEquip4Kids is a registered
charity, No.1102830
To take part you need to pay a registration fee of £250
and raise minimum funds of £3,200 for the charities.
Acting as agents for
Managed by
ction
for charity
lifechangingevents
Great Wall of
China Challenge
Let’s Hike or Bike for
children
14-22 May 2011
To raise funds to help
disadvantaged and
sick children
Choose your challenge – Hike or Bike
China leaves a lasting impression on all who go there. It is a country
immersed in history, mythology and ancient traditions. This huge
mass of land has the largest population on Earth. Highlights include
the Great Wall, the Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square – all
of which can be experienced. Both the hike and the bike ride take
place in Beijing province and whichever challenge you choose in this
fascinating area it will earn every penny of the sponsorship money
you raise. Both groups will see and visit parts of the magnificent Great
Wall away from the usual tourist trails. The original wall was built over
2000 years ago and at its longest stretched over 6,000kms with its
main objective to act as a barrier at the border with Mongolia. Today
it is one of the great wonders of the world.
Great Wall of China Hike
Great Wall of China Bike Ride
Our five-day hike offers a very different experience of the Great
Wall every day from Mutianyu, through Black Dragon Paw Park, to
Gubeikou and Jinshanling finishing at the Great Wall at Simatai. It is a
challenging walk taking in thousands of steps, dozens of watchtowers
and some steep and rugged countryside. The panoramic views along
the way are breathtaking. This hike is not suitable for vertigo sufferers
as there are steep sections and sheer drops.
Our 450kms cycling challenge over five days starts in Shun Yi and
finishes at the Ju Yong Pass, a quiet area of the Great Wall. Along
the way the group will cycle alongside sections of the wall at
Mutianyu and Badaling on a route that passes lotus ponds, villages,
orchards and through lush mountain ranges with spectacular views.
The group will stay overnight in tourist class hotels, enjoying the
friendship and camaraderie of a very special cycle challenge.
For full itineraries, information and to register online for either challenge go to www.actionforcharity.co.uk
All funds raised by Let’s Hike or Bike for Children will be divided equally between the
following charities and used to support their work
their most treasured dreams come true, whether
it’s a trip to meet Mickey Mouse in Disney World,
meeting a favourite popstar, swimming with
dolphins or even visiting Santa in Lapland.
Barnardo’s believes that the lives of all
children should be free from poverty, abuse and
discrimination. Unfortunately, many children
and young people live with being sexually
abused, homeless or in the shadow of domestic
violence. The charity works with children
with disabilities and some of the UK’s most
vulnerable children and their families to help
transform their lives and fulfil their potential.
Kith & Kids aims to challenge the isolation
experienced by young people with disabilities and
their families. The charity works with families who
have a son or daughter with a learning disability
across the UK; many of whom also have a physical
or sensory disability. With a strong self-help ethos,
families support each other and the organisation
(and so themselves). The diverse provision of
high quality, volunteer supported projects include
weekend clubs, friendship schemes, a residential
summer camp and family crisis support.
Dreams Come True exists to bring some joy into
the lives of terminally and seriously ill children all
over Great Britain. Quite literally, it aims to make
MedEquip4Kids is the charity that helps sick and
injured children in and out of hospital. The Charity
works in partnership with hospitals to improve the
care available to children when they suffer illness
or have been involved in accidents, by providing
paediatric specific medical equipment and funding
for projects that enhance the hospital environment
for the benefit of children and their families.
In many cases this reduces the time spent by
children in hospital. MedEquip4Kids also supports
community health projects that enable children
whenever possible to be treated at home.
Barnardo’s is a registered charity, No.216250 and SCO37605
Kith & Kids is a registered charity, No.1080972
Dreams Come True is a registered charity, No.800248
MedEquip4Kids is a registered
charity, No.1102830
Let’s Hike or Bike for Children is managed by Action for Charity on behalf of the above charities. Action for Charity is the trading name of Action Events Limited, Newcourt House, New Street,
Lymington, Hampshire SO41 9BQ. Company Registration No. 3615142. Telephone: 0845 408 2698 E-mail: events@actionforcharity.co.uk Website: www.actionforcharity.co.uk
ction
for charity
lifechangingevents
To take part in the Great Wall of China Challenge you need to pay a registration fee of £250 and raise minimum sponsorship funds of £3,200 for the four Let’s Hike or Bike for Children
charities. Flights (not including airport and fuel taxes), accommodation, food, internal travel, guides, medical support etc. will all be provided.
Great Wall of China Challenge Bike Ride
You can choose to join the Let’s Hike or Bike for Children Great Wall of China Challenge as a hiker or
a cyclist. The itineraries are different but both teams will join together for a magnificent end of
challenge celebration in Beijing. Whichever you choose it will be a challenge and not a holiday.
The Bike Ride entails five days of cycling for a distance of around 450km, often alongside sections of
the Great Wall. It will be a challenging ride that is achievable with plenty of training beforehand. The
friendship and the camaraderie along the way however will be amazing as people from across the UK
join together for this special event. Let’s Hike or Bike for Children is managed by Action for Charity on
behalf of four UK children’s charities – Barnardo’s, Dreams Come True, Kith & Kids and
MedEquip4Kids. All funds raised by the challenge will be divided equally between the charities and
used to support their work. The specialist tour operator for the event is Classic Tours.
To take part in The Great Wall of China Challenge you are required to pay a registration fee of £250
to Action for Charity and then raise minimum funds of £3,200 for the Let’s Hike or Bike for Children
charities. Your charitable funds must be paid in at least ten weeks before the event date ie. by 4th
March 2011. The charity will pay tour costs of approximately £1,499 per person (subject to group
size) or you can opt to pay them yourself. The more money raised by participants in the challenge the
higher the percentage of funds that directly support the work of the four charities. You are therefore
encouraged to exceed the minimum fundraising target.
Your personal challenge is to train and get fit enough to take part; to raise at least £3,200 in
sponsorship funds and/or donations and to accomplish the challenge in China.
YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED . . .
Who will benefit from the funds I raise?
You are required to raise a minimum of £3,200 in donations and sponsorship funds for Let’s Hike or
Bike for Children. After costs, the balance of the funds you raise will be used by the four charities to
support their work with and for children throughout the UK. The percentage of funds raised used for
costs will be much greater if as many people as possible exceed the minimum fundraising target.
How does it work?
You pay a non-refundable registration fee of £250, which is used solely for non-travel costs. You must
also pledge to raise the minimum amount of charitable funds and pay them in by 4th March 2011. In
return everything for the challenge will be provided – flights (not including airport and fuel tax), food,
accommodation, guides, use of bikes, transfers, medical support etc.
Who can take part?
Anyone over the age of 18 who is reasonably fit and is prepared to put in plenty of cycling training
beforehand. If you are over the age of 65 or have a medical condition of any sort the event Medical
Form will need to be signed by your doctor confirming your fitness to take part.
continued over/
1
How fit do I have to be?
You will need to be fit and to have trained. Many of those who take part in this type of event are not
regular cyclists so it is imperative that everyone follows a reasonably serious course of training before
the event. If you are over 65 or have a medical condition which could be adversely affected by
exercise or any worries about your medical fitness you must seek advice from your doctor. You will be
sent a comprehensive guide to training when you register.
Do I need special equipment?
You will need a cycling helmet and cycling shorts, a rucksack and a water bottle or water hydration
system. Apart from that no specialist equipment is required. We will supply you with a list of
everything you need to take before you go.
Where will we sleep overnight?
We will sleep in tourist class hotels where rooms will be on a twin or triple-share basis in the main.
Couples should note that it will not automatically be possible for them to share.
Will I have to carry my kit?
No, your luggage will be transported each day by our support team. You will need a water bottle and
a rucksack or waistbag for things like your camera, sun cream, tissues, fleece etc.
Who organises all the travel arrangements?
All the tour arrangements are organised by specialist tour operator Classic Tours, the originators of
trekking and cycle challenges in aid of charity. The company is bonded with the Civil Aviation
Authority ATOL number 3379.
What about insurance and visas?
You will need to take out your own personal travel insurance covering health, accident, loss and
repatriation. Classic Tours has a recommended policy that currently costs £60 (may be subject to
change). You can however take out your own insurance providing it covers you for a charity cycle ride
in China. A visa is needed to visit China and we will send you information on how to apply for this
when you register. Tourist visas for China currently cost £30 when applied for in person, £55 by post.
Please note this information is for British passport holders only. You should advise us if you are a
different nationality so that we can check your requirements.
What other costs will I have to pay?
In addition to paying your registration fee you will need to budget for your airport taxes (currently £220
but subject to change), personal travel insurance, gratuities, optional tours and personal expenses
including travel to and from the departure airport.
How do I book a place?
You can register online at www.actionforcharity.co.uk or fill in a printed application form and send it to
Action for Charity with a registration fee of £250 – payable by either cheque, credit/debit card or
online secure payment at http://www.actionforcharity.co.uk/secure/ You will then be sent confirmation
of your registration, further details and a comprehensive fundraising pack.
If you have any questions at all about
Let’s Hike or Bike for Children Great Wall of China Challenge
please telephone the events team at Action for Charity on 0845 408 2698
or e-mail: events@actionforcharity.co.uk
REGISTER AND MAKE SECURE PAYMENT ONLINE AT: www.actionforcharity.co.uk
The Great Wall of China Challenge is managed by Action for Charity on behalf of Let’s Hike or Bike for Children
(Barnardos Registered Charity Number: 216250 & SC037605, Dreams Come True RCN: 800248, Kith & Kids
RCN: 1080972, MedEquip4Kids RCN: 1102830). Action for Charity is the trading name of Action Events
Limited, Registered Office: Newcourt House, New Street, Lymington, Hampshire SO41 9BQ.
Company Registration No. 3615142
Telephone: 0845 408 2698 e-mail: events@actionforcharity.co.uk
website: www.actionforcharity.co.uk.
2
LETS HIKE OR BIKE FOR CHILDREN
GREAT WALL OF CHINA BIKE RIDE
14 – 22 MAY 2011
ITINERARY
Day 1 – Saturday 14 May
London - Beijing
Overnight flight from London to Beijing.
Day 2 – Sunday 15 May
Outskirts of Beijing
Early afternoon arrival in Beijing. Transfer to our hotel (1½ hours approx.). The rest of the day
will be spent bike fitting, relaxing and hearing more about the week ahead.
Day 3 – Monday 16 May
Shun Yi – Ping Gu
93kms approx.
We start our cycling from our hotel, along the suburban road through small towns and across
country terrain with beautiful views of the hills beyond. Lunch will be at a Buddha hill
(opportunity for cultural talk on Buddhism) where we can visit the big Buddha at the top of the
mountain. After lunch we continue our challenge through small local towns and on country
roads to our overnight hotel at Ping Gu. With jet lag, 93kms is quite a challenge for our first
day but the terrain is relatively flat today, so it’s a good warm up for us.
Day 4 – Tuesday 17 May
Ping Gu - Five Towers (Miyun Reservoir)
101kms approx.
After breakfast at our hotel, we’re back in our saddles as we pass through small towns with
dedicated bike lanes. The first 30kms is mostly flat but it’s a beautiful route with Lotus ponds
on both sides and great views. Lunch will be at a local noodle or dumpling restaurant on the
way. After lunch we cycle along the Miyun Reservoir which forms the main drinking water
supply for Beijing. We pass villages, orchards, and farmer’s fields and experience a few hills,
a really nice second day. We finish the day with a slow incline for 5kms with views of the
Miyun Reservoir to reach our overnight hotel.
Day 5 – Wednesday 18 May
Five Towers - Mutianyu – Ming Tombs
106kms approx.
Today will be a more challenging day. We start from the hotel and cycle through villages, and
enter the new developing town of Miyun. Around the 23kms mark we will have a snack/water
stop in a local park before continuing towards the Great Wall of China at Mutianyu. The route
is gentle uphill for most of the way with a steep climb at the end. Visiting the wall is going to
be so special. The original wall was built over 2000 years ago and at its longest stretched
over 6000kms! Its main objective was to act as a barrier at the border with Mongolia. Today it
represents one of the wonders of the world. After a short visit and lunch we continue cycling.
The first stretch after lunch will be downhill, then on to a quiet country road in a valley
between two lush mountain ranges. We cycle through a tunnel cut into the hillside and at the
other end there is a spectacular panoramic view.
1
We continue past tiny villages and fields filled with crops. The last part of the day takes us
alongside a narrow river uphill towards our overnight accommodation called the ‘Oil Workers
Sanatorium’ in Shisanling. We will visit one of the Ming Tombs, not open to the public, prior to
arriving at our hotel. This will be one of the tougher days of the ride but the views along the
way make it worthwhile!
Day 6 – Thursday 19 May
Ming Tombs – Happy Holiday (Yong Ning)
103kms approx.
This morning we cycle back past a few of the Ming Tombs with orchards lining both sides of
the road. There are some 13 tombs in this area built by the Emperors of China between the
14th and 16th centuries. There is unlikely to be much traffic on the road except when we cycle
into some of the larger towns and villages. After approx. 5kms we start to cycle uphill for the
next 8kms. There are hills around every corner but the views are beautiful. The ascent is
fairly difficult for several kilometres and isn’t the only one of the day! At the top we enjoy a
spectacular view before descending into the valley passing small ponds, several villages and
vast areas of cultivated land. We stop for lunch at a tourist village (opportunity for cultural talk
on local village life and recent changes in China).
After lunch we will be on good quality tarmac roads with slight hills. Mountains to our right,
wide fields and great views to our left, we’re cycling towards Longqin Gorge and the scenery
is stunning.
Day 7 – Friday 20 May
Happy Holiday – Badaling Great Wall – Ju Yong Pass
46kms approx.
It’s an early morning wake up call this morning as we embark on our last day of cycling. We
start on minor roads with little traffic and bike lanes on both sides of the route. We pass the
entrance of Kangxi Grass-Land towards the Badaling part of the Great Wall. The route is
undulating and hilly with a lovely downhill to reach our finishing line at the Ju Yong Pass!
We will stop at Ju Yong Pass for a short visit as this is a quiet area of the Wall and we can
celebrate our accomplishment. After the visit to the Wall and lunch we transfer to Beijing (1.5
hour approx.).
Day 8 – Saturday 21 May
Beijing
Free day to explore Beijing either independently or on an optional tour of the Forbidden City,
Friendship Store and Lama Temple. Tonight we enjoy a celebratory dinner with the hiking
group. Overnight at a hotel in Beijing.
Day 9 – Sunday 22 May
Depart Beijing
Depart Beijing arriving in London the same day (based on direct flights)
This is a complex itinerary which is subject to change.
© Copyright Classic Tours
2
YOU CAN DO IT!
YOU CAN RAISE £3,200 TO TAKE PART IN
Let’s Hike or Bike for Children
Great Wall of China Challenge
to raise funds to help sick and disadvantaged children
There are lots of ways to raise funds – so you don’t just need to rely on
donations from family and friends, although it is helpful to enlist the support of
absolutely everyone you know. If you are determined and committed you will be
successful. £3,200 may seem daunting at first, but with a fundraising plan, lots
of enthusiasm and commitment YOU CAN DO IT!
Here are just a few ideas . . .
1. FRIENDS AND FAMILY
• Draw up a plan of action. Approach absolutely everyone you know.
• Carry your sponsor form with you everywhere so that whether you are out at the pub, at the leisure
centre or at work you can ask people for support.
• Ask friends, neighbours, relatives, people involved in past and present interests, people on courses
you have attended, overseas relatives or friends. One fundraiser raised over £500 by sending an
early Christmas card to everyone asking for a donation. Ask all your local shops to support you – your
gym, swimming pool, dentist, doctor, hairdresser. Ask any contractor who has done work on your
house – decorator, plumber, electrician, window cleaner – even your postman or milkman.
• Ask all your family and friends to do the same – think how quickly those donations will come in once
you add all those people together.
2. BUSINESS ASSOCIATES AND CONTACTS
• Ask your company to make a large donation to get you started or if they offer matched funding.
• Ask companies you do business with and suppliers to make a good size donation. Some people raise
all their sponsorship money this way.
• Approach all your business contacts, large and small.
• Speak to your clients and tell them what you are doing and ask them to sponsor you. Remember,
there are tax benefits for companies making charitable donations so don’t be afraid to ask.
3. SMALL FUNDRAISING EVENTS
• Ask your local pub, working mens’ club, rugby, football, golf or cricket club to organise a small event
for you – quiz nights, darts nights, raffles, karaoke nights, sponsored pub crawl, car washing, bed
push, the list is endless.
• Ask your friends and family to hold an event for you – jumble sales, car boot sales, garage sales,
discos, themed party evenings etc. etc. Just think - if five friends did a car boot sale each for you and
each raised £100 this could be your first £500!
4. HOLD YOUR OWN EVENT
• Consider holding your own event. Some that have been successful for people in the past include
fundraising discos, quiz or bingo nights, folk concerts, sporting challenges, dinner dances and even
full-scale balls.
please turn over/
FUNDRAISING PLAN
February to
October 2010
Sign up for the event
Draw up your fundraising plan to include a contacts list and ideas for
fundraising.
Plan all your fundraising activity – contact everyone on your list and
enlist their support in some way.
March 2010 to
to March 2011
Main fundraising activity takes place
March – June 2011
Time to exceed your target!
HOW YOU CAN RAISE £3,200 BY MARCH 2011
Your local primary/secondary school holds a non-uniform
day and charges pupils £1 each to support you
£300
Four friends and/or relatives each do a car boot sale and
raise £100 each
£400
You ask family, friends, everyone you know for a donation
– maybe with a Christmas card.
£500
Your local shops, hairdresser, plumber, electrician etc.
each give you a small donation
£300
Your local pub organises a quiz night for you
£300
You get some collecting tins and ask your busiest local pubs if
you can collect on a Friday or Saturday night (rope some friends
in to go with you and wear fancy dress!)
£400
You book a venue for an event and, with a group of friends,
organise a function of your choice – curry and quiz night,
sausage, mash and bingo supper, race night.
£800
Your children or nieces, nephews etc. organise their own fundraising
activity to support you eg. car washing, dog walking, bob-a-job etc.
£200
YOU’VE DONE IT! . . . . . . . . . . . .
£3,200
And remember . . . raising your sponsorship money
is part of the challenge!