Walking the Great Wall

Mar 19 2008 by David Himelfield, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

Walking the Great Wall

A HUDDERSFIELD vicar will walk the Great Wall of China to raise money for the world’s poorest communities – and he needs your help.

Kirkheaton Rector Richard Steel will trek part of the 4,000 mile ancient wonder on behalf of the Church Mission Society (CMS).

Mr Steel will journey past the usual tourist stretches and camp alongside the Wall.

Richard worked for CMS, which funds projects in impoverished countries, before moving to Huddersfield.

He adds much of the CMS’ work has to be performed in secret because of oppression regimes in many of the 60 countries the charity covers.

Now Richard is looking for donations and corporate sponsorship to help provide special equipment needed for the walk.

He said: “This is a great opp- ortunity to raise money for an excellent cause and for me to learn more about a country that is more and more in the news, especially in this Olympic year.”

So far Richard has raised £1,113 of his £3,000 target. To sponsor him visit: www.justgiving.com/richardsteel or pick up a sponsorship form from the Parish Office, School Lane, Kirkheaton.