Mountains, Boats, Swimming and Steeples for Children on the Edge

28/10/2019

Over the last 6 months, fundraisers have taken on a huge variety of challenges for us. We’ve had runners, cyclists, walkers and rowers signing up for incredibly tough challenges with one common goal, to raise money for Children on the Edge.

In July, 74 year old Graham Meyers, set off on his epic 80 mile row around the Isle of Wight. Over seven days, he circumnavigated storms, choppy waters and high tides on his journey from Mudeford around the Isle of Wight and back home again. During the challenge he kept his friends and family updated with regular blog posts and updates on Facebook.

Graham's boat was rear facing, so he fitted 'rearview' mirrors so that he could see where he was going.

Graham told us “It turned out to be a brilliant adventure, full of surprises and sometimes a bit concerning, but it was really hard work. I am delighted to have helped Children on the Edge. Since completing the challenge I’ve been busy with other things have haven’t had a chance to take the boat out but I will be keeping up the rowing!”

In August, Megan McCulloch took part in the Weymouth Half Ironman. Megan has competed in triathlons since she was eight, but this year was the first year that she able to enter an Ironman competition. The Ironman event started with a 1.9km swim in the sea at Weymouth Bay, however, due to unsafe weather conditions it was cut short to 950m. The event continued despite the bad weather, and the swim was followed by a 56 mile cycle. The final event was a half marathon run along Weymouth Seafront. Megan would recommend taking on a challenge for Children on the Edge.

The start of the sea swim.

She said “Children on the Edge is a wonderful charity doing vital work, anyone thinking about taking on a challenge and fundraising should definitely consider it. The Fundraising team have been brilliant and were always there to help me.”

Megan during her half marathon run.

After visiting Syrian Refugee camps in Lebanon, Dominic Elliot was inspired to take on the Three Peaks Challenge and fundraise for Children on the Edge.

He said “Last year, my wife Arabella and I visited some of the Syrian refugee camps in the Beqa'a Valley in Lebanon, and saw first hand the scale of the problem facing those who wish to rescue children, not only from the physical dangers and deprivations of war, but also from the future perils of their loss of education. Out of this visit, I was inspired to try to do my own small bit to raise funds for those who are seeking to remedy this issue.”

Together with his friends Ed, Steve and Tobias, Dominic took part in the Three Peaks Challenge, scaling Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Mount Snowdon. A challenge which involves 3000m of vertical ascent! The Team successfully completed their challenge in 22 hours and 25 minutes and have raised over £3000 for Children on the Edge.

On one of the wettest, muddiest days in October, Body Shop at Home Consultant Helen Wilson took part in the Spires and Steeples Challenge. A 26 mile challenge, from Lincoln to Sleaford. Helen walked through fields, country lanes and bridle paths, whilst negotiating chickens, cows and knee deep mud along the way.

She said “The challenge wasn’t easy but knowing I had raised so much money kept me going.”

Helen is part of the The Body Shop at Home Rosebud Region and is hoping that next year there will be a whole team entering the event.

Helen at the start of her challenge, before the mud!

Children on the Edge Fundraising Manager Eloise Armstrong said “Thank you to Graham, Megan, Dominic and Helen and all of the other fundraisers who have dedicated themselves to completing a challenge for us this year. We are so grateful to every single person who signs up to challenge themselves for Children on the Edge.”

If you are feeling inspired to take on your own challenge for Children on the Edge, have a look at our challenges page or get in touch with our team, email us or call us on 01243 538530.

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