With our team events we often find that a lot of you who
take them on are actually team mates already but in a very different
environment. Your everyday support is less helping each other climb a mountain
in the Scottish Highlands but more helping each other tackle a mountain of work
in the office.
This week we hear from a team from AXA Wealth who took on
our Ben Nevis Charity Challenge in September this year. The team mates known as
the Nevis Treaders completed the epic event which entails climbing Ben Nevis,
cycling and canoeing a loch all in one day in a heroic nine hours and fifty six
minutes. Here is what their team captain
Andy Ennis said about the event.
The Nevis Treaders…
Three out of the four of us still work at AXA – James worked
with us previously although moved on to pastures new.
We wanted to do a challenging charity event as a team and
entered a similar even in 2011 in the Lake District. Unfortunately, due
to bad weather and dubious directions we failed to complete the challenge so
the four of us wanted to do something similar again, for closure as well as
raising funds. It took us four years as since the last event some of us
have got married and/or started families. This year felt right and whilst
the previous event no longer exists, we found the Ben Nevis event with Dream
Challenges a similar (if not tougher) event.
AXA Wealth have supported Jack’s Place and Naomi House as
our chosen charity over a number of years. The four of us have helped to
raise money for this cause over the years and as such it’s a charity we have
helped to support and which is close to our hearts.
About Naomi House and
Jacksplace…
Naomi House & Jacksplace hospices provide expert care to
more than 280 life-limited and life-threatened children, young people and
their extended families from Hampshire, Wiltshire, Dorset, Berkshire, West
Sussex, Surrey and the Isle of Wight.
Our nursing, care, play and family support teams are experts
in delivering the crucial emotional, spiritual and developmental aspects of
care that families need.
Pre event nerves…
We all
thought the refreshments were a nice touch and helped to keep everyone motivated.
The briefings were clear and to the point and helped to reassure everyone on
the format of the day, the routes and also provided the opportunity to ask any
questions.
The cycle routes were easy to follow and after the mountain
and the road, it was almost a joy to get into the boat for the canoe
section. We completed the canoe stretch in just twenty eight minutes. The last cycle leg was almost euphoric as we
all knew we had almost made it and were on the final stretch.
It was also nice to socialise with a few of the other teams
after the event and later in the evening enjoy a few drinks in Fort William
which is a lovely place full of friendly people.
The mountain was
tough…
The only thing not so positive about the experience was the
mountain on the way down (through no fault of the organisers). As the
weather deteriorated, the path, especially nearer to the bottom became
treacherous and we noticed some people were using trekking poles which seemed
to help people keep their balance. If we did the challenge again (which
is a distinct possibility) I think we’d consider using these. This didn't diminish our enjoyment of the event however!
Been There Done Nevis…
All though the team felt that they struggled with the
descent from the mountain they did it in an impressive six hours and thirty
minutes which shows that team work makes the dream work. The team raised £1500
for Naomi’s House and Jacks Place which is a great achievement in itself.
If you and your work mates want to become team mates and
join us for the Ben Nevis Charity Challenge 2016 then please visit the website
for more information. It is a great way to raise money for your works charity
of the year and the perfect way to boost morale within the office as there will
be lots to talk about along the way and following the event! Or even better
when more than one team enters it sparks a bit of healthy competition not only
to raise the most but to see who will finish the challenge first.
Feel Inspired? To find out more about Dream Challenges events please visit the website or contact us directly:
W: www.actionforcharity.co.uk . E: events@dreamchallenges.co.uk T: 01590 646410
