Actually, the truth of the matter is this: on Saturday, September 28, 2013, Yu Yang participated in the "Challenge 8 Hours" charitable hiking event organized by the China Youth Development Foundation, and then got a perm on Sunday. But ever since, an office joke started circulating: "Yu Yang from the mountain villages sure has it tough — with such bad transportation, she had to walk for 8 hours up the mountain just to get a perm."
This year, the "Permed Lady" is back for "Challenge 8 Hours." To be honest, the nickname doesn’t quite fit. On the most eye-catching photo on the event’s official homepage — three girls jumping together — the one on the far right is Yu Yang. Facing the camera, she’s smiling brightly, radiating youthfulness. She’s clearly just a girl in her twenties.
By that time, Yu Yang had been sticking to walking for fitness for nearly five months. Every day at noon, she would walk a lap around Beihai Lake, and after work, she’d walk from Beihai to Xizhimen. By September, the fitness results were starting to show, and she wanted to test her progress. She saw news about "Challenge 8 Hours" on social media but realized registration had already closed. Still, she felt that promoting awareness and support for the "Project Hope" through hiking was meaningful and fun, so she didn’t want to miss out. She called the organizing committee and went to the CYDF office specifically to sign up late.
She signed up for the 24.9-kilometer experience race along with two other friends. With 5 kilometers to go before the finish line, the three girls, seeing the light of victory ahead, happily jumped in front of the camera — resulting in that highly impactful photo on the "Challenge 8 Hours" homepage.
"It’s a pity we registered too late to promote it well — only one colleague donated," said Yu Yang, a veteran volunteer with 11 years of experience, still feeling a bit regretful. Fortunately, the 2014 "Challenge 8 Hours" didn’t make her wait too long — registration opened at the end of March. From September last year to March this year, in half a year, Yu Yang, under the nickname "Permed Lady," became closely associated with "Challenge 8 Hours" in her colleagues’ minds. She sincerely invited everyone to join. Enthusiastic colleagues not only posted the "Challenge 8" registration info on the company’s OA system but also helped print out event introductions to post on the company bulletin board. The company’s Youth League branch even organized a special group activity and donated all their league fees. Members of the volunteer service team also responded actively and offered support.
Yu Yang is lucky. Her company, Zhongsheng, part of the Shouqi Group — a state-owned real estate enterprise — is currently developing Beijing’s largest affordable housing project in recent years. The philosophy of being a "responsible real estate developer" has subtly influenced every employee. Her colleagues responded very enthusiastically to her call, and several even joined her efforts. Wang Wei, currently ranked third on the "Challenge 8" individual fundraising leaderboard, is one of them.
Wang Wei and Yu Yang formed a small fundraising team for "Challenge 8." The two also engaged in constant "brainstorming," summarizing many fundraising tips through practice. For example, they set a fundraising standard of 10 yuan per person. "That means we need to promote the event to at least 60 people to raise enough for our entry fee. It’s not about how much money, but about getting people to understand the meaning of the event." Some colleagues said online donations were too troublesome and suggested just giving cash, but they patiently explained that actually participating in the process helps people better understand the event and the meaning of public welfare. Wisdom also requires courage — Wang Wei seized the opportunity during a tree-planting event organized by the Shouqi Group last week to ask the company’s leaders for donations.
During the fundraising process, Yu Yang also gained insight into people’s attitudes toward public welfare activities and organizations. "The CYDF is still pretty well-regarded," she said with a smile. "But even among volunteers, not everyone understands that public welfare isn’t just a momentary impulse — it requires sustained effort." A few years ago, Yu Yang organized a charity drive — collecting unused items from friends’ homes to donate to impoverished families in Zhangbei. "Everyone was very enthusiastic, and the effect was good, but the cost was indeed high, and it took a lot of effort." In Yu Yang’s view, professional public welfare organizations best understand the needs of the people they help, can mobilize more human and material resources, and have established systems to ensure the sustainability of public welfare initiatives.
Today, Yu Yang’s curly hair has been straightened, but her passion for hiking and public welfare remains. And she’s deeply grateful to those who supported her during the fundraising process. Such a Yu Yang — even without her wavy hair — how could you not like her?
"Challenge 8 Hours" is a charitable hiking fundraising event organized by the China Youth Development Foundation. The project combines outdoor hiking with philanthropy, encouraging the public to challenge their physical limits while raising funds for public welfare projects. The perseverance and determination demonstrated in completing the event aim to inspire those around them to support and participate in public welfare. The funds raised in this edition will be used to build "Project Hope Happy Sports Fields" in rural primary schools in remote areas, helping improve sports facilities in these schools.
Official Website Registration: http://hiking.cydf.org.cn
Hotline: 010-64790533/64790892
Registration at CYDF Office: 5th Floor, No. 51 Wangjing West Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing
China Youth Development Foundation registration: 5th Floor, No. 51, Wangjing West Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing