Birthday's no barrier to Sue (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Birthday's no barrier to Sue

Sue Preston who plans to celebrate her 60th birthday by taking part in a sponsored walk of the great wall of China Picture: Matthew Swingler Ref: 99336-26WHEN Sue Preston reached her 60th birthday she decided she wasn't going to sit down and vegetate. Instead, she decided the time had come to go on an adventure.

And the final preparations are now in hand for her trek across the Great Wall of China to raise money for charity.

Sue said she was determined not to let age get in the way of what she really wants to do or put her feet up.

"That's what my sister did when she retired," said Sue, who lives at Fairlawn with her husband Martin, a former sales manager at Triumph International in Swindon.

"So when I heard about this chance to do a sponsored walk along part of the Great Wall in China, I decided to have a go."

She leaves on Thursday with a group of nine and a Chinese-speaking Australian guide from Trailblazers, part of a charity organisation called the Saltmine Trust.

"It will be hard going, with steep climbs and sheer drops in places," said Sue, who has two sons and a daughter.

"I expect that number to have grown to five by the time I leave for China, as both my daughters-in-law are about to give birth."

Sue claims she is pretty fit and isn't anticipating too many difficulties on the trek.

She has been going to a gym five times a week, spending three sessions on cardio-vascular workouts and two with the weights.

"I was speaking to someone last week who has already done a similar trip and said the country is wonderful, but it's hard work and very cold."

She has been warned temperatures at night are likely to drop to well below five degrees C.

"So a good sleeping bag and a pad to lie on are essentials," said Sue, who hails from Yorkshire.

"We shall be walking along the top of the wall and our kit will be carried by pony or mule at its base."

She is paying her own expenses, but hopes all her friends and contacts will sponsor her.

The money she raises will go to support the work of the Salvation Army among the elderly, the homeless, young people and needy families

Sue doesn't belong to the Salvation Army but until her retirement at the end of July she worked at Gloucester House in Highworth its rehab centre for alcoholics and drug addicts.

"I know how valuable the Army's work is," she said.

"And how badly money is needed. Over all it's £10m in the red.

"Yet just £25 could help pay for a meal run, providing hot soup and sandwiches for people who are living rough on the streets.

"Twice that would help the Salvation Army to provide a hot dinner for ten lonely elderly people".

Among its other good deeds every year the SA reunites 3,000 people with relatives they have lost touch with, serves 1.5 million meals at community and residential centresuns 46 drop in centres for people in need

If you want to contribute to Sue's sponsorship appeal call her on 01793 694148.

Alternatively,please send a cheque to the Saltmine Trust, c/o Gloucester House, 6 High Street, Highworth, SN6 7AG.

Great wall facts

The oldest section of the Great Wall was begun in 221 BC

It stretches approximately 4,500 miles from the east to the west of China and can be seen from space.

It was listed in the World Heritage by UNESCO in 1987 as one of the greatest wonders of the world.

It was originally built as a defensive fortification and went through constant changes throughout its construction.

It began as independent walls for different states when it was first built until Emperor Qin Shi Huang had the walls joined together to fend off invasions from the Huns in the north.

The effects of nature and tourism have caused the gradual reduction of the Great Wall resulting in less than 30 per cent remaining in good condition. Some sections of the Great Wall are now in ruins or even entirely disappeared.

Shirley Mathias