News
Claire’s TrekFest Experience
Reaching New Peaks
Claire Addis, our very own Fundraising Coordinator, successfully completed the challenging 50km TrekFest event in the Peak District on Saturday 31st August, raising almost £700 in the process!
Here is a short account of her experience:
“I love a good challenge, and it’s been years since I’ve done anything that has really pushed me physically, so I didn’t need much convincing to sign up to TrekFest The Peaks earlier this year. It was great that I could also raise money for Friends for Leisure – it’s my job every day to recruit people in the community to do these sorts of things, so felt it was important to show my own commitment to getting involved and taking myself out of my comfort zone by choosing the 50km distance!
“I had done a fair amount of training, but hadn’t been up into the hills as much as I’d like to. So I have to admit I was a little nervous the night before the trek when my husband Tom and I were pitching our tent and looking at the route map at all the inclines and descents we would be facing. I needn’t have worried though as the TrekFest village was really welcoming with great facilities, an inflatable bar and a gorgeous chill-out tepee to relax in before an early night in the tent.
“Early the following morning we were up and raring to go, filling up on overnight oats and bananas, getting our walking boots laced up with our timing chips and joining the rest of the 50km walkers at the start line. After a quick debrief, we were off!
“I won’t give you a step-by-step account of the route as I did over 75,000 of them over the 50km, but I will say that it was a real experience of a lifetime. We met so many lovely people who helped us laugh through the pain of blisters and bruises; we saw some stunning scenery; we managed to still giggle through the hail and winds that attacked us on the top of Kinder Scout; not so many giggles during the gruelling climb up Jacob’s Ladder, but what a feeling when we got to the top. I can’t believe that Tom and I kept going, managing to cross the finish line in 12 hours and still smiling!
“I can’t thank Global Adventure Challenges enough for providing a thoroughly well-organised event. There were copious snacks and drinks at every checkpoint, including a much-needed hot lunch and cakes at the halfway point and an amazing choice of meals for dinner at the finish. Routes were clearly marked, and we all knew that if we needed any support the GAC team were only a phone call away. There were many walkers who came to the event alone, but went home with friends. It is such a supportive environment and although it is tough physically, it’s all worth it for the sense of achievement when you are handed your medal and glass of bubbly. The TrekFest village itself is also amazing, it feels like you’re at a mini festival and the atmosphere is brilliant post-event as everyone enjoys some well-deserved drinks and dancing round the firepit! To have raised almost £700 for Friends for Leisure at the same time makes it even more worthwhile. I feel I can support other fundraisers for the charity even better now that I have had a recent taste of the efforts it takes to raise money and train for a tough physical challenge.”
Claire is desperate to hit her £750 target, so if you’re interested in helping her reach this then you can still sponsor her at https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/addistrekfest50 or you can donate by getting in touch with Friends for Leisure directly, on 01260 275333 or info@friendsforleisure.org.uk.
If you’re tempted to do something similar to Claire to raise funds for us, there are numerous events you can register for with Global Adventure Challenges, our partner for UK and overseas charity challenges. You can find out more at https://www.globaladventurechallenges.com/ or give Claire a call to have a chat about what’s on offer. If you are an avid cyclist why not check out our Friends for Leisure Tour de France challenge in July 2020, a London to Paris bike ride to celebrate Friends for Leisure’s 25th anniversary, a real once in a lifetime experience! https://www.globaladventurechallenges.com/challenge/london-paris-bike-ride
