Published: Tuesday, 8th September, 2009 1:00pm

Teacher takes on China trek

by Colin Hutton

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Collegues were shocked at charity mission

AN adventurous music teacher has left colleagues "gobsmacked" after announcing she is taking on the Great Wall of China.

Aileen Douthwaite, who is based in Dumbarton's Dalreoch Primary, has admitted that this decision is one of her maddest yet - but after narrowly avoiding being caught up in the Gulf War, she is sure she can cope.

And the 45-year-old has set herself an ambitious target of raising a massive £5,000, which will be donated to a hospice in the area.

Aileen leaves for her 10-day challenge on October 9 - when she will walk for up to nine hours a day - and despite fears about the creepy crawlies, she is being driven on by the money which will eventually be handed over to St Margaret's Hospice, in Clydebank.

The French horn expert, who is currently teaching in Dumbarton Academy and Knoxland Primary, teaches music to kids across West Dunbartonshire in her role as the council's Education support officer for Music Instruction.

A range of fundraising nights are still to be arranged before the trip, but anyone who wishes to donate can go to www.justgiving.com/aileendouthwaite.