04-06-2025
Glasgow teacher to take on Great Wall of China trek
Angela Sloan, who has lived in Glasgow for nearly 30 years, will take on the challenge this September to raise funds for Childline.
It will see her walk 10km a day for five consecutive days along one of the world's most iconic landmarks.
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Jules Colin, Martin Whelan, Angela Sloan, Sandra Jones, and Megan Williams (Image: Supplied) Angela, 62, is part of a group of 18 fundraisers calling themselves the "Tartan Trailblazers."
She said: "Young people are under more pressure than ever and some of the support services that were in place are either not there anymore or past capacity with long waiting times, so it feels like Childline is needed even more now.
"That's why raising money for Childline is so important.
"It helps ensure that there is always someone at the end of the phone when a child calls.
"While the conversations can be about troubling topics, from my own experience it always feels like the young person has benefited from having someone to talk to in a confidential way.'
Angela, who has nearly 40 years of experience in teaching, has volunteered as a Childline counsellor for seven and a half years.
She first became interested in volunteering for Childline after meeting NSPCC staff during school visits for workshops such as Speak Out and Stay Safe.
The experienced teacher said: "I was winding down my career and went part-time, so I was looking for something else to do and that seemed like a natural fit.
"The training is incredible and it's definitely something I am proud of, but the service needs support so it would be amazing if people can donate to our fundraiser."
Donations can be made online at
Angela has previously completed a 10k run and a coastal walk around the Isle of Arran to support the NSPCC.
The Great Wall trek, which includes around 10,000 uneven steps each day, will be her most challenging yet.
The trek, organised through travel firm Charity Challenge, along the Ming Dynasty masterpiece, will follow the winding path along the Yan Mountains to the Gubeikou Gateway which takes in the well-known 'heavenly staircase'.
Sandra Jones on a previous trek along the Great Wall of China (Image: Supplied)
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A typical day will start at 7am, with walkers exposed to the elements, rain, and wind, every day.
Angela added: "A lot of people can walk that much in one day without a problem, but it's getting up and doing it the next day, and the day after that, that's going to be the biggest challenge."
Funds raised will support NSPCC services including Childline, the adult Helpline, and educational programmes such as Talk PANTS and Speak Out Stay Safe, which strive to help stop child abuse and neglect.
