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Challenge ‘veterans’ help raise £173,400
DESPITE atrocious weather which conspired to make conditions
particularly difficult, nothing could dampen the spirits of the 28
teams who pushed themselves to the limit during the tenth annual
Ford Ranger Great Lakeland Challenge on 19 May, and
raised £173,436 in aid of rugby’s charity Wooden Spoon.
A team from Chester/Wirral/Mold was among those who canoed the
length of Lake Windermere (10.5 miles), cycled 26 miles over
England’s steepest passes – Wrynose and Hard Knott – and scaled the
mighty Scafell Pike (3,208 ft). The objective was to complete
all 3 elements of this unique and gruelling triathlon consecutively,
inside 12 hours.
Calling themselves MPC Chasers, Tony Bargh and Nigel Kelly, both
from Upton, near Chester, and Nick Corcoran from Eastham, Wirral,
finished the event in 7 hours and 56 minutes – the second fastest
time! They were supported by driver Jonathan Gregson from Mold, who
transported their clothing and equipment between the stages in a
vehicle supplied by Ford – main sponsor of the Challenge since it
was established in 1997.
MPC Chasers were delighted to pick up one of the Challenge’s most
prestigious awards – the Veterans’ Bowl – which is presented to the
top performing team of competitors with a combined age of more than
120 years! Tony, Nick, Nigel and Jonathan also raised £4,700.
The total sum pledged by all competitors, who included accountants,
IT consultants, construction industry professionals, dentists,
electricians and teachers, is £173,436.59. Wooden Spoon will use the
money to fund a variety of capital projects that will benefit
physically, mentally and socially disadvantaged children and young
adults throughout the UK and Ireland.
“We were unlucky with the weather once again, but the
knowledge that they had raised such a huge sum of money did a lot to
ease the competitors’ aching limbs,” said Geoff Morris,
chief executive of Wooden Spoon. “As ever, we are very
grateful to Ford for supplying vehicles for our teams and to the
army of volunteers who served as marshals, but it is down to the
effort and sheer determination of the Ford Ranger Great Lakeland
Challenge competitors that we are able to carry on our work and for
that they have our thanks and admiration.”
The prize for the fastest time went to Pro Mil, whose team members
hail from Sheffield, Wigan and Chesterfield and who have competed
seven times. They completed the 2006 Ford Ranger Great Lakeland
Challenge in 7 hours and 9 minutes. Meanwhile, the Challenge Bowl –
awarded for the most impressive combination of elapsed time and
funds raised – went to Sussex Screamers from the Wadhurst area, who
finished in 9 hours and 16 minutes and raised £10,250. |
BUS
COMPANY APPEALS FOR STUDENTS’ TOP TIPS
MOVING to a new city can be a daunting prospect for new students so Arriva North West is appealing for those with a bit more experience
to come forward with top tips and advice. The bus company is
asking existing students in Liverpool to nominate desirable shops,
cool clubs, fun bars, good restaurants, top sights or favourite
hang-outs to help give Freshers the low-down on their new home town.
Nick Gordon, marketing manager for Arriva North West said:- “A
great deal of students use our bus routes to get to and from
University and around the city. We want to put together a mini-guide
for Freshers, giving advice on where to go when they arrive in
Liverpool. Students who have been living in the city for a
year or so will have already found those little bars or shops that
are tucked away or restaurants that offer really good value food so
we’d like to tap into their knowledge.”
The mini-guide will include short reviews and recommendations of top
spots. The best review will win a free Autumn term ticket offering
unlimited travel all day, every day on Arriva buses in Merseyside
and Lancashire.
Arriva Merseyside and Lancashire Zone student tickets offer great
value for money with a further 10% off the price if ordered online.
For more information visit:-
arriva.co.uk/students.
Students wishing to nominate or review their favourite places should
email:-
studentguide@arriva.co.uk for
more information.
The mini-guide will be available online from
September 2006 at
www.arrivabus.co.uk/students.
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