Feel-good Friday

The great trek of RM – Feel-good Friday

HR Business Partner, Veesh Rathod and Field Operations Director, Mark Wilkinson joined forces to take on a venture of over 300km, spanning across India, Hong Kong and China.

Throughout May, they both trekked 306km included 100km exclusively on the Great Wall of China. Whilst trekking, this included visiting Taj Mahal, reaching the highest point in Hong Kong, taking two 15 hour overnight hard sleeper trains from Beijing to Xi’an and Xi’an to Shanghai, visiting Tiananmen Square, Terracotta Army and more. Whilst on their mission, they also managed to summit Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) which stands 1,864m high to ensure they complete over 300km in total.

‘Ni Hao! Across the three weeks, we were on a mission to complete the trekking distance whilst also achieving our full itinerary. Travelling across Beijing to Xi’an and Shanghai on land is quite an experience. The overnight train experience was incredible. We had the opportunity to speak with locals and with over 50+ high school students travelling on the same trains, they wanted the opportunity to practice their English with us which was a very humbling and rewarding experience’ said Veesh and Mark.

‘Throughout this time, we only stayed in a hotel on the first and last day, the remaining time we stayed at guest houses and local homes with very basic facilities in the villages fully embracing the culture. To be constantly moving city to city every few days was heavily fast paced as you’d expect, but we completed it successfully.’

The biggest challenge of all for them both was trekking 100km across the Great Wall of China in five days: ‘given the unpredictable terrain throughout the wall, you’re never too sure when the next big step is, and they come very often which slows you down! For anyone considering visiting China, it’s definitely worth it.’

‘I’m incredibly grateful to everyone that has donated. These are memories and experiences I’ll never forget. Trekking the great wall is arguably the most challenging thing I’ve ever physically put myself through’ said Veesh.

‘A fantastic experience living with locals in rural villages across China. It never ceases to amaze me that people with so little seem to be so much more happier. Always smiling happy and enjoying their environment. The only currency they live by is time’ said Mark.

As well as seeing the sights and experiencing a variety of culture on their voyage, Veesh and Mark got on their walking boots to support our charity partner, British Heart Foundation.

The pair are on the verge of raising an amazing £15,000 through generous donations, achieving an impressive 1433 per cent of their fundraising goal!

If you would like to support, click here to donate and see more photos.

We know there are lots of amazing stories out there. Please share on Workplace or email your news to rmcommunications@royalmail.com

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