Jo conquers the Great Wall
Jo Anne Wilkinson Peacock recently returned from her epic Great Wall of China trek in aid of the Quadpara Association of South Africa (QASA).
THE Great Wall of China was originally constructed to keep out nomadic tribes who raided China’s northern frontier. Stretching more than 6 000 kilometers, the iconic structure would be intimidating for any traveller, even an experienced one.
Not so for Glen Anil resident, Jo Anne Wilkinson Peacock, who recently returned after four days of walking, running and spider climbing the Great Wall, all in an effort to raise money for the QuadPara Association of South Africa (QASA).
Wilkinson has already climbed Mt Kilimanjaro, swum the Midmar Mile, as well as walked for 12 hours non-stop around the Crusaders Club fields to raise funds for QASA as well as create wheelchair and disability awareness.
Jo walked for eight hours a day along the route less travelled by tourists and said the hardest part was the psychological challenge.
“No matter what you think it will be like, the Great Wall will still blow you away.
“You can’t prepare yourself for the awe. All you see is this never ending structure that weaves its way along the mountains.
“Each day was a challenge and some sections you literally had to spider climb up steep paths. But it was absolutely fantastic,” she said. Jo said she was blown away by the support from the Durban North community who donated to QASA.
“I’d just like to thank all my friends, family and colleagues for their support. My hope by walking the Great Wall is to inspire able-bodied people that you can do the seemingly impossible,” she said.
