Local business-owner completes 874 miles in five months for SEND charities
Written by Chris Walthew, Owner of Climb Quest Milton Keynes and Clip ‘n Climb Cambridge
2021 has been one of ups and downs, so in January I decided to set myself a challenge to run the 874 miles between Lands End and John O’Groats, through the Lejog End to End challenge. I will complete this on 22nd May, having averaged 10k per day over the last five months.I had two motivations for doing this. The first motivation for doing the challenge is to give me a target that I’m in control of working towards and achieving.
This is giving me a huge boost to deal with all uncertainties of life and business at the moment, helping me focus my energies on doing my best with what I can do something about. I have always been into sport, but not running more than 10k at a time.
During these five months, I completed two marathons, and many half marathons, so I’m really proud of how much my running has improved.My second motivation is to use this challenge as an opportunity to raise much needed funds for charity and so I’d like to introduce the two amazing charities that your donations will help support. Both help children and young people and their families.
They are run from where our two climbing centres are located, in Cambridge and Milton Keynes, respectively. Over the Covid pandemic they have both been hit by the double whammy of their services being in more need than ever before, but at the same time their fundraising efforts being seriously hampered.I’ve currently raised £1,400, and you can donate through my personal Just Giving page which will be shared 50%/50% between the two charities, or through the individual charity’s Just Giving pages at the bottom of their profile.
Spectrum
Spectrum provides events and support for families of children with Autism, additional needs and disabilities. Based in Cambridge, they are rapidly expanding their reach, supporting families throughout the country.A few weeks into opening Clip ‘n Climb Cambridge in 2016, I received this email from a customer:
"I would just like to extend my thanks to you and your team today for making our family outing such a happy one. Your staff took great care to ensure that my middle child who has severe autism, was well looked after during our visit. Outings can be quite challenging for us as a family but the Clip and Climb team made it very easy for us today."I was really moved by this and it helped me realise we had a special place on our hands with how inclusive our climbing centre was. By coincidence, Justin who runs Spectrum, got in touch that week to introduce himself and we quickly made his charity the main one we support as a centre, gifting them a climbing session every month, plus getting involved in various fundraising events such as climbing the equivalent height of the Three Peaks and having several 20 stone lycra clad wrestlers join in one of their climbing sessions!
Donate through my Spectrum Just Giving
PageFind out more about Spectrum
MacIntyre
MacIntyre provides learning, support and care for more than 1,200 children, young people and adults who have a learning disability and / or autism, throughout the country.
I got to know the charity at the end of 2020, as they’re run from Milton Keynes. I’m excited about lots of ways our new Climb Quest centre could help support them, from running sessions for the children and young people they support, including using our special hoists for those with physical disabilities, to hosting a fundraising challenge where their supporters could climb the equivalent height of Ben Nevis at the centre.
They had their first session with us in May 2021, and our team are all so pleased to be working with them.
Donate through my MacIntyre Just Giving Page
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