Been There Done Nevis.

Last Saturday, 20^th June 2015, saw a staggering eighty eight team’s take part in our epic Ben Nevis Charity Challenge. This week many will be aching, buzzing from the adrenalin and some may even be thinking “Next year, oh yes, next year, we WILL be the fastest team”. For the past two years this exciting team challenge event, set in the stunning highlands, has been quick to sell out. So what is all the fuss about?

The Challenge…

Teams of four are challenged to climb Ben Nevis (1,343m) the UK’s highest mountain, cycle 25 miles through stunning Highland landscapes and canoe a 3km course on Loch Lochy. Lying in the shadow of Ben Nevis sits Fort William the ‘Outdoor Capital of the UK’. The event started here in the dramatic surroundings of both loch and mountain.

From Fort William it was onwards and upwards for the first part of the challenge – a trek to the summit of Ben Nevis. This year the summit had a touch of Everest about it with a layer of snow covering the ground.

What goes up must come down...

However, what goes up must come down. And so they did. All eighty eight teams. Here is what Eamon Francis from Team Delta Force said about the first part of the experience: 

“Really enjoyed it (we can say that now that we can walk again). The climb stage really caught us out, taking at least 2 hours more than we expected, we hadn't factored in the extra walk to and from the base of the mountain, and found the descent physically harder than the ascent, you live and learn, eh!? 
Thanks a lot to all of the Dream Challenges team, we all commented how nice, helpful, encouraging you ALL were, which really added to the experience. A very well organised event - well done to you all too!”

Once the teams had conquered Ben Nevis they made their way back to Fort William for a quick change into cycling gear ready for their second part of the challenge. A fifteen mile cycle to Loch Lochy.

As Team Craneware discovered, whilst doing a challenge, unexpected hitches crop up along the way: 

“Thanks to all at Dream Challenges.  The organisation and support were superb.  One of our guys had a burst bike tyre (not just inner-tube, the tyre too!) and needed bike pick-up and mechanical support – the speed and efficiency of the support was very impressive.”

Thank you to all our amazing Dream Challenges event staff. When there is competition in the air they are always on hand to ensure your unexpected “pit stop” is never too long.

Ain't no mountain high enough, ain't no valley low enough...

After climbing the highest mountain in the UK and cycling through stunning Highland countryside the teams arrived in Loch Lochy. A long, straight, fresh-water loch surrounded by steep forested hillsides. They took to Canadian canoes and paddled their way along the 3km course.

The final stage of the challenge is a 10 mile cycle to the finish line at Fort William. The route back followed the Caledonian Canal into Fort William. The majestic Caledonian Canal is considered by many as one of the greatest waterways of the world. As stunning as the route is, by this point, the team’s only had one sight in mind – the finish line.

Arriving first in seven hours and fifteen minutes the fastest team trophy was awarded to Character Builders South West Ltd. Hot on their heels Team AST completed in seven hours and forty nine minutes. Leaving third fastest team to Keep Attacking who did just that completing the challenge in eight hours and thirty one minutes. The fastest mixed team went to Vera 2 completing in eight hours and fifty minutes. 

Whilst the fastest all Female Team winners The Shamrock Roses completed in ten hours and forty two minutes. The final category ‘Golden Oldies’, which to qualify for you have to have a combined team age of one hundred and eighty years or more, went to Vera 1 who completed in nine hours.

We asked the fastest team Character Builders South West their thoughts on the day:

“Arriving in Scotland to the stunning scenery was mind blowing, the event made up for the mammoth 12 hour drive to get there! Loved spending time together as four brothers, working as a team outside of our family building business, it was like our very own mini tour de France and reminded us of childhood cycling memories.

Cramp was a low point, but being asked if we had bionic legs and if we did this professionally (which we don’t, we are builders) was amusing. On that note, our sons got things a bit muddled with one thinking Ben Nevis was a person and the other telling everyone we were climbing Everest.

When we reached the summit Tom did a handstand to secure a donation pledge from his gym club. This felt like a big moment!  A high point about the event was being able to raise money for a charity which is totally reliant on donations. I was airlifted myself after collapsing during a 10k race so wanted to raise enough money to 'pay back' my three thousand pound ride in the air ambulance. Ironically the day before being air lifted I was manning our trade stand at the local agricultural show where we raise money for Devon Air Ambulance. Little did I know 12 hours later I would be in it!! We have currently raised £3,421 with maybe a bit more to come.

                                    

All the people on the mountain - genuinely looking out for one another - anyone on the Dream Challenge team always had a kind word or positive encouragement for all participants. There was a really good vibe. Event was really well organised and managed throughout the day”

Congratulations a plenty…

The day ended with speeches, trophies and medals for each participant. Here is “Sister” Graham Wilde’s feelings on the event:

“You created a really positive and friendly atmosphere, whilst ensuring all the safety and practical elements were taken care of effectively. Briefings and presentation speeches were really well pitched - right balance of information and instruction without overloading or over-worrying people! Superb day out… still got very sore legs. Please pass on my thanks and congratulations to all involved in putting on this great event”.

The day was all wrapped up and as people started to leave there was one more thing to be done. Using fundraising updates, given on the day, Dream Challenges worked out that collectively around £250,000 has been raised for over fifty different charities. This money will help fight heart disease, research cures for cancer, support hospices across the country and save children’s lives. And those causes are just to name a few. We hope knowing this will be a good tonic to help with any aches. 

Another tonic is knowing that you can do it all again next year and we are excited to announce that registrations are now open for 2016, for more details visit www.actionforcharity.co.uk. 

A final big well done from all of us at Dream Challenges to all the teams who took part this year, please check out the event video below. And we hope to see you next year... 

  

Follow us on twitter @dreamchallenges #BeenThereDoneNevis or find us on Facebook Dream Challenges.
W: www.actionforcharity.co.uk/index.php . E: events@dreamchallenges.co.uk T: 01590 646410

If I can do it...so can you.

The following is about Brendan Fitzgerald and why Brendan is returning to complete his next Dream Challenge fifteen years after completing his first. We hope you find Brendan’s story as inspiring as we do. 

Regaining my independence...

In 1998 I suffered a fall which broke my neck. As a result I was diagnosed as Tetraplegic. This means that I have paralysis from the neck down, which affects both my arms and legs.

My injury happened when I was only 38. I was fit and active, and as a kick boxing instructor with two gorgeous children I enjoyed my life to the full. Unfortunately this type of injury can happen to anyone, with devastating effects. When I was going through my ‘darker times’ a charity called Regain provided me with a handcycle in order for me to try and build up my strength and fitness and help me to regain some independence.

I now want to do something to help others…

Regain is a charity which aims to improve the independence of British men and women who have become tetraplegic as a result of a sports of leisure injury. I now want to do something to help others who are going through what I went through.

To help Regain raise much needed funds I will be taking up the challenge to hand cycle 400kms across Cuba. The event is Cycle Cuba and is hosted by Dream Challenges.

A hand cycle is just as it sounds, a specially adapted cycle that is propelled by the arms instead of the legs. I know it will be tough (I am 55 and a bit of a desk jockey) especially using only my arms, but it will be worth the effort as all funds raised will support the work of Regain. They are the only charitable organisation in the country dedicated solely to improving the independence of people like myself who have become tetraplegic as a result of an accident.

I had completed similar previous challenges, hand cycling across Malawi and San Francisco but this was 15 years ago, so things have changed a bit. I chose to do another bike ride as I had thoroughly enjoyed the previous ones so much, and the feeling of achievement and camaraderie were so good that it is difficult to put into words.

My life is now back on track...

Although I am still a permanent wheelchair user, my life is now back on track and I am loved, healthy and happy. My training is going well, and my fundraising is on track. I am thoroughly looking forward to completing the event with my better half Tricia Taylor, and would say to anyone who is considering doing such an event…just Go For it. If I can do it…..so can you.

To see more of Brendan’s story please visit: https://www.justgiving.com/Brenf2/

Feel inspired? To find out more about Dream Challenges events please visit the website or contact us directly: 

W: www.actionforcharity.co.uk/index.php . E: events@dreamchallenges.co.uk T: 01590 646410

A day in the life of Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust…

Each month we will be interviewing our charity partners. To kick start this feature, and to coincide with Cervical Screening Awareness Week,  we asked Maddy Durrant Communications Manager at Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust to talk us through a day in the life of their charity.

Tell us about the team…

The team at Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust is small but perfectly formed – there’s currently 12 full time members of staff which means there is a lot of cross working particularly when it’s all hands on deck. Our busiest periods are usually during our two awareness weeks (in June and January) and everyone always gets involved which was great to see with our last campaign #SmearForSmear.

We sit in an office with other charities and not-for-profits and have started a few cross charity groups including a marketing/comms working group. A colleague has also started a fun softball team called The CANtelopes – don’t ask!

What do you love about your role at the charity?

Coming from the private PR sector, my absolute favourite part of the job is knowing that what we do every day has a direct impact on people’s lives. It sounds like a cliché but it really does help you get out of bed every morning. Particular highlights are when we speak to women affected and hear how one helpline call or perhaps a question answered through our Ask the Expert service has really supported them through a tough time.

Tell us your top three reasons why what you do is so important…

1) There isn’t enough awareness about cervical cancer – it’s the most common cancer in women under 35, every woman should know what causes it and how to prevent it.

2) Cervical cancer can be prevented yet every year the number of women taking up their cervical screening invitation is going down. Our aim is to significantly reduce incidence and deaths from the disease. Our vision is to see a future where cervical cancer is a disease of the past

3) We’re the only charity in the UK doing what we do, and we’re award winning – we support those affected and campaign for prevention as well as best care and treatment. In March 2015 we received the prestigious GSK IMPACT Award in association with the King’s Fund; designed to reward charities that are doing excellent work to improve people’s health. It’s great to be recognised for the work we do but there is much more still to be done.

Have you taken part in a Dream Challenge?

I took part in Women V Cancer cycle Cuba in 2013 and it was one of the best physical things I’ve ever done. It was an incredible experience and I met some truly inspiring women. I’d love to do one every year!

My dream however is to take on Kilimanjaro Trek.

Maddy Durrant, Communications Manager - Jo’s Trust.

Thank you to Jo’s Trust for being part of our blog. 

To learn more about how you can get involved in Cervical Screening Awareness Week 15-21 June 2015 visit www.jostrust.org.uk.

We are always inspired by the work of our charity partners and proud to be able to offer a channel of support via our events. However we only provide the events. It is you our wonderful participants taking on these epic challenges that do all the hard work. So high fives to all of you! 

Feel inspired? To find out more about Dream Challenges events please visit http://www.actionforcharity.co.uk/index.php . Email events@dreamchallenges.co.uk or call 01590 646410

Drum roll please….Introducing the Action for Charity and Dream Challenges Blog.

Hello and welcome to the first entry of our brand new blog. 

A weekly blog that will cover stories from our event participants, place a spotlight on the incredible charities you fundraise for, offer an insight into our events, a chance to hear from our wonderful team and much more.

We decided there could be no better way to launch than interviewing Ann Frampton the founder of Action for Charity and Dream Challenges. Here is what Ann had to say…

 What inspired you to set up Action for Charity?

I worked within the charity sector for over ten years at charities such as Barnardos (Dr Barnardos back then!) and Aspire. When I was at Aspire I organised one of the early overseas charity challenges – a trek in the Sinai Desert! The event was a huge success and raised thousands for Aspire. Then one night over dinner (and a few glasses of wine!) my work colleague at the time Gay and I had an idea…why don’t we set-up a business to offer challenge events to charities! Enter Action for Charity!

Do you feel you have achieved this?

I am extremely proud of what we have achieved at Action for Charity over the last fifteen years. We have raised millions of pounds for a number of amazing charities. However for me it’s not all about the fundraising. I take a great amount of pleasure seeing our participants achieve their challenge – whether it be to cycle 100km through the night or to reach the summit of Kilimanjaro. A lot of our participants have very personal reasons for doing a challenge and seeing them get to that finish line is very rewarding for me.

We take great pride in the very personal service that we provide for our event participants, we believe this is why many participants come back year after year. I have also been very privileged to meet some amazing people on our challenges over the years – many of whom remain close friends.  

How many challenges have you done now?

We often talk about this in the office and I think have done well over 100 charity challenges. I will have to try and list them all one day! I am planning to write a book when I retire so watch this space! 

If you had to choose, what would be your favourite event & why?

That is a very difficult question as I have been fortunate to go on many amazing challenges over the years! However I would have to say my personal favourite is Cycle Cuba, because I love the music, dancing, cocktails…and the cycling of course!

What does the future hold for Action for Charity?

We hope to continue to offer an exciting portfolio of challenge events. 

We have an amazing calendar of events lined up for 2015/16. Why not take on one of our hugely popular team challenge events such as Race the Sun Lake District or join the next amazing Women V Cancer challenge Cycle Vietnam to Cambodia. Alternatively join us for a once in a lifetime trek to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro or hike along the famous Inca Trail on our new Trek Machu Picchu challenge. Women V Cancer Ride the Night 2015 was a huge success and registration for Ride the Night 2016 is open now.

Finally, why should people sign up for our events?

Firstly, with our experience you know you are in safe hands. The team will support you all the way - from application stage to the top of that mountain!  We organise and deliver training weekends and provide experienced staff to accompany all overseas events.

The challenge will make you more motivated than you can imagine. So if you want to reach that weight loss goal or regain your fitness levels having a challenge to aim for is the mother of all motivators.

By signing up you could fundraise for a charity close to your heart. By challenging yourself you can have a positive impact on those your charity supports. We say our challenges are life changing experiences not only for you but for those you fundraise for. 

The challenges can take you to some incredible places, you will meet some amazing people and will get the best taste of achievement when you complete the challenge.

Put your fears aside and go for it!

Feel inspired? To find out more about Dream Challenges events please visit: 

http://www.actionforcharity.co.uk/index.php or email events@dreamchallenges.co.uk or call 01590 646410