Express & Star

Father's 100-mile Great Wall of China trek for Birmingham Children's Hospital unit that helped son

An intrepid father clocked up thousands of steps and nearly 100 miles as he trekked along the Great Wall of China to raise cash for the hospital which cared for his son.

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Jason Addison, 44, has now returned from the challenge and is on course to smash his £10,000 fundraising target – although more donations are still welcome.

He covered the distance in just five days taking in sections of the wall at Beijing, Huangyahuan, Taipingzhai, Qiangjian, Shuichang and others.

Jason and son Scott Addison, aged 20

The cost of the trek has been self-funded so all of the money donated will be given to Birmingham Children's Hospital Oncology Unit Ward 15.

Mr Addison, who runs Addison Tyres, in Tipton, said it had been a remarkable experience – but admitted it had been tougher than expected. He said: "It is a breathtaking sight to look back and see the wall snaking back behind you.

"The views are tremendous. However it was very tough going. Each step is so steep. One of the other people on the challenge had a device to measure how many steps she had taken. After four days it had reached 96,000 steps."

Mr Addison, from Coseley, said his son, Scott, had leukaemia when he was four-years-old and was cared for at the hospital. He had three years of treatment.

Mr Addison said his son was now in remission, was fit and well and will turn 21 later this year.

To donate visit www.justgiving.com/addisontyres-china-trek

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