Work mates being team mates…

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…

On the actual day, I think we all had pre-event nerves although once we started and met some of the other teams, despite the mountain being tougher than expected (especially the way down) we really enjoyed the day.  The event was very well organised and it was really reassuring that the start, changeover and finish were all at the Nevis Centre.  

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