Charity walks see Bedford College tutor conquer the Great Wall of China

A computing tutor from Bedford College, part of The Bedford College Group, has raised nearly £4500 for Great Ormond Street Hospital Children’s Charity by taking on a lifelong dream of conquering one of the Seven Wonders of the World.

Programme Manager Daniel Hulatt embarked on the five-day challenge to show his thanks to Great Ormond Street Hospital who have played a vital part in his own personal health journey, facilitating over 25 life-changing surgeries throughout his childhood and supporting wider family members with their health.

Routine trips to Great Ormond Street to receive treatment, surgeries and medical intervention throughout childhood left Daniel with a life goal to complete the challenge in honour of the support received by himself and his family.

Previously a student at Central Bedfordshire College from 2009 to 2011, Daniel was given the support he needed to enable him to continue his college studies with the IT team whilst recovering from surgery.

Reflecting on his achievement, Daniel said: “Every day of the walk was different. For me, day two was one of the hardest days as we spent two hours going uphill. In those two hours we had travelled ½ KM and 1000M elevation from the start location in 80% humidity. This meant I had to learn how to walk uphill at an incline you wouldn’t normally experience, channelling my inner mountain goat.

“On the last day we also did a staircase which was referred to as a ‘stairway to heaven’. This staircase was the equivalent height of a tower block, but the distance travelled was no more than a few metres. It went directly up with steps that were always inconsistent in height, with a direct drop behind. I remember getting halfway up and struggling to manage the emotions of having got this far despite every challenge for 23 years, combined with the fear of falling backwards and everything that went with that thought.

I wanted to do this challenge as it gave me something to push towards in my recovery and in 2017 I walked the Thames Path Challenge as part of my plan to prepare for this challenge.

“I can say with absolute confidence that without the life-changing surgeries that I received, I would not be teaching at the college, let alone able to work.”

In addition to raising £4,489 for the charity, Daniel says the experience has changed him. He adds: “Throughout, I felt a sense of peace that I have never felt in my life before that moment. This trip has fundamentally changed how I see myself, how I approach a challenge and I’m still figuring that out, but that sense of inner peace has not left me.”