6 Oscar-winning fundraising ideas

February 22, 2017 / / No comments

HollywoodIf you’re fundraising for a forthcoming expedition, have you thought about hosting your own Academy Awards Fundraising Party to help you reach your sponsorship target? We’ve put together a list of ideas to help you win your very own ‘nomination’ for Best Fundraiser of the Year…

1. HOST YOUR OWN OSCARS PARTY
Forget about the after parties in Hollywood, YOUR party is where it’s at! Invite your friends over for an all night Oscar’s party. Set the theme (black tie event, dress as your favourite movie character etc), pop open some bubbly, dish out some popcorn and charge your friends an entrance fee to attend.

2. NAME THAT MOVIE
Play some of your favourite games – with a movie twist! Do a film-themed game of charades, set up a Hollywood Pictionary tournament in the office or hula-hoop for the entire duration of the longest acceptance speech…

3. GO GLAM FOR THE DAY
Swap a dress down day at work for a dress up one! Ask your colleagues to come to the office in their best attire – the glitzier the better. Perhaps someone is bold enough to wear a gold spandex morph suit and come dressed as the Oscar statue?

4. HAVE FUN WITH A SWEEPSTAKE
How many awards will La La Land win? How many minutes will the longest speech be? Set up a variety of sweepstakes and encourage all your friends to get involved.

5. SILVER SCREEN QUIZ
Do you know your Spielberg from your Scorsese? If you’re a movie buff, create your own film-related quiz. There could be a picture round, an Oscars round, a Disney round etc – you could have endless fun with writing your own film trivia questions!

6. DEVISE YOUR OWN AWARDS SHOW
Set up your own awards ceremony and create some categories. Ask your friends to nominate, and shortlist the nominees! You can even create some awards that are relevant to your challenge. Who’s been your Best Cheerleader in a Supporting Role in your challenge journey? Who would you nominate for Outstanding Contribution to trekking/cycling?

This weekend, ladies and gentleman, our award for Best Participant goes to all of YOU for your dedication and enthusiasm to your challenge. Best of luck with your fundraising, and enjoy the razzle dazzle of the awards…

Category: Fundraising /

8 Places To Get On Your Bike In 2017/18

February 16, 2017 / / 3 comments

Cycling is well known to be the most efficient form of transport on the planet. We think it’s also one of the best ways to see a country, while burning a few calories too! But where, you ask, should you take to the saddle and pedal your way from A to B? To get you started, here’s a little inspiration, including two brand new cycling itineraries!

PARIS
London to Paris Bike Ride

France is arguably the spiritual home of cycling, with Le Tour de France bringing a celebration of all things vélo to millions of fans worldwide each year. We think we’ve come up with the ultimate Tour de France experience. Come with us as we make our way to Paris from London on two wheels, arriving at the Eiffel Tower before catching the final stage in person!

SPAIN/FRANCE – new!
San Sebastian to Barcelona

Want to up the pace and follow in the tracks of the Tour de France riders? This brand new challenge sees you depart the beautiful coastal city of San Sebastian in Spain, before crossing the border into France and tackling the famous Pyrenees mountains. Will you face the most gruelling climbs, or take the easier route? The choice is up to you.

San Sebastian to Barcelona

ICELAND
Iceland Fire and Ice Cycle Challenge

To cycle a landscape like no other, Iceland offers a volcanic ride through steams, hot springs and lava fields. The land of ice and fire is truly unique, but with a challenge grading of ‘tough’, you’ll have to work for those scenic views. It’ll be worth it though, and as a reward for reaching the finish line in Reykjavik, you can take a tip in the famous Blue Lagoon. There’s even a chance you might get to see the Northern Lights!

Iceland Cycle

BURMA
Cycle Burma

Cycle Burma

One of South East Asia’s best kept secrets, Burma is still a relatively new destination. Uncover this beautiful part of the world by cycling from Mandalay to Inle Lake through rural countryside, stopping at temples, farms, villages and towns along the way.

MOROCCO
Atlas Mountain Bike Challenge

Morocco might not be an obvious cycling destination, but the High Atlas Mountains provide a magnificent backdrop for our 8 day cycling challenge. From the busy streets of Marrakech you will ride into the Mgoun Massif, passing remote Berber villages between dramatic, changing scenery.

High Atlas

VIETNAM & CAMBODIA
Saigon to Angkor Wat Bike Ride

Want to explore South East Asia and tick off a few of the region’s most famous landmarks? Cycle 450kms over 11 days, through Vietnam and Cambodia, following the Mekong Delta. You might lose count of temples and pagodas along the way, but you won’t forget the amazing Angor Wat complex, bustling Saigon or Phnom Penh, Cambodia’s capital city.

Cycle Saigon Angkor

TANZANIA
Kilimanjaro to Ngorongoro Crater Bike Challenge

Kilimanjaro, the highest mountain in Africa, is well known amongst trekkers, and provides a backdrop to this incredible cycling challenge. Make your way 450kms from Kilimanjaro to Ngorongoro Crater, passing Maasai villages in the Great Rift Valley, be prepared for hot weather and amazing scenery.

ITALY – new!
Italian Great Lakes Cycle

Like the Tour de France, Italy hosts its own annual grand cycling tour, the Giro d’Italia. This prestigious cycling event pedals through some of the country’s most spectacular scenery, and now we have a brand new challenge dedicated to visiting some of these well ridden routes. With a leg-aching 400km between Lake Como and Lake Garda, this is no easy feat, but it will be so rewarding.

Italian Lakes

Feeling inspired to jump on your saddle? Take a look at our website for a full list of our cycling challenges, and sign up today!

Category: Cycling /

Meet the Leader: Penny Knight

February 7, 2017 / / One comment

Adventurous expedition leader, Penny Knight, has worked with Charity Challenge for over 7 years on a variety of exciting overseas challenges. From crossing glacial rivers in Iceland to trekking across the sun-drenched Sahara Desert, Penny shares some of her highlights with us…

Penny-Knight1

Name: Penny Knight

(Current) location: North Yorkshire Dales

What’s been your favourite expedition (so far)?
It’s so hard to decide on one, but I think it has to be the Sumatran Jungle challenge, for so many reasons. I just love the smiley people, hot, humid climate and varied wildlife. The fantastic spicy food, physical variety of the challenge with river wading and steep ascents and descents – along with the remoteness and survival aspects- really make this a true challenge in every sense of the word.

What’s been your most memorable moment on an expedition?
I will never forget climbing the Heavenly Staircase on the Great Wall in China with one particular participants who shared their motivation and story with me. It was incredibly emotional and I remember there were a few tears (from the both of us!) as she conquered the challenge.

What qualities do you think a good expedition leader needs?
Good preparation is vital, and a sense of humour is key! You need to be able to balance caution and confidence simultaneously, and you must have the ability to make decisions quickly whilst remaining calm under pressure. An inherent spirit and wild enthusiasm definitely help, along with the ability to be supportive and empathetic throughout some grueling conditions.

What do you think you would be doing if you were not an expedition leader?
Very sad . . . . . but probably an outdoor centre operations manager ( as I was before I qualified to lead expeditions).

When you’re not hiking up mountains or cycling across countries, what do you do in your spare time?
You will usually find me outside! Yesterday I enjoyed a fantastic 12 mile walk in the Yorkshire Dales. I do enjoy writing about my adventures, and recently published my book, A Knight Fulfilled, which includes some of my experiences from around the world. I do love great food – but not cooking so much! And I love to keep in touch with friends that I have made on these expeditions throughout the years.

What is the best thing about being a leader?
The people you meet – both the participants and the guides in country. I also really enjoy the difference you hope you can make to those who trust you to lead them, and the way you can learn and motivate each other – it is priceless.  It truly gives me a greater thrill than anything else I can think of in life – an excitement, satisfaction, exhilaration, pride, value and enjoyment which cannot be surpassed in any other line of work I’ve come across!

 

Have you been on an expedition with Penny? Did she help you achieve more than you ever thought was possible? Share your experiences and stories with us. Comment below!

Category: Uncategorized /

5 Great British Challenges To Tackle In 2017

January 24, 2017 / / No comments

Snowdon Triple Challenge
This multi-activity challenge sees you take to the dramatic scenery of Snowdonia National Park by bike, kayak and on foot. This mix of physical challenges is made more diverse by the changing landscape of this Welsh region, including a summit of Wales’ highest mountain, Mount Snowdon.

Coast to Coast Cycle Challenge
This famous cycling route see you pedal from one side of England to the other, tipping your tyres in both the Irish and North Seas. Over the course of 2 days and 140 miles you will see the rolling green hills of the Lake District, quintessential English villages, and ancient remains of Hadrian’s Wall before crossing the finish line at Whitley Bay.

Lake District 5 Peaks Challenge
Five peaks in one day is no easy feat, luckily this challenge is set in the heart of the stunning Lake District, with each peak offering you a stunning view of the surrounding landscape. Climbing over 3,000ft, which includes England’s highest mountain, Scafell Pike, this challenge is one to really be proud of.

Lake District 5 Peaks

Yorkshire 3 Peaks Challenge
Three peaks in 12 hours might sound easier than five, but this is no walk in the park. Ascending a total of 1,532m, which is higher than the UK’s tallest mountain, the Yorkshire Dales will push you to your limits. Get ready for plenty of ups and downs across some rugged, varied terrain.

National Three Peaks Challenge
The toughest challenge on our list, the legendary National Three Peaks pits you against Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Snowdon in just 24 hours. Starting in the early hours, you will be among the first trekkers of the day to tackle Ben Nevis, the highest mountain in the British Isles, before hitting the road and heading to your next summit, Scafell Pike in the Lake District. After a good night’s sleep it’s time to finish this hat-trick of heady heights with Mount Snowdon. With spectacular views, it’s surely an emotional and thoroughly fulfilling finish.

National 3 Peaks

Think you’re up for the challenge? Visit our website and choose your challenge today.

Category: UK & European / Tags: , , , , , , , ,

Believe, Achieve and Inspire in 2017

January 13, 2017 / / No comments

In 2016 we saw our participants scale mountains, climb ancient walls, navigate rugged landscapes and pedal through dramatic desert landscapes, all for a good cause.

Those are just a few of the many challenges you can tackle this year, and to make the most of that January enthusiasm, we’re offering 10% off your registration fee until the end of the month!

Just enter code ‘ACHIEVE10’ when you register by January 31st 2017*. Believe in yourself, achieve something amazing, and be inspired. Speaking of inspiration, take a look at our new video to get some ideas for where this year could take you.

All that’s left is to decide: what will you achieve in 2017? Click here to see our range of challenges.

*Offer may not apply to all challenge departures

Category: Uncategorized /

2016 highlights

December 21, 2016 / / No comments

This year Charity Challenge has helped thousands of people trek, hike, bike and kayak around the world, all raising money for some incredibly inspiring causes. From summiting mountains in Africa to crossing glacial rivers in Iceland and beyond, each expedition has been filled with emotion and celebration.

Check out the video below for some of this year’s best highlights!

2016-youtube-still

Category: Uncategorized /

New Responsible Tourism Policy for Responsible Tourism Day 2016

November 8, 2016 / / No comments

“Making better places to live in, and better places to visit”- Cape Town Declaration on Responsible Tourism

Today marks the 10th anniversary of World Tourism Day at the World Travel Market, so we thought it would be the perfect time to launch our new Responsible Tourism policy.

We think that responsible tourism should be more than just a long list of Do’s and Don’ts. We want our responsible tourism policy to inspire you to take up one of our challenges. We work tirelessly with our local in-country teams to find ways to introduce extra special details that will make your challenge even more memorable. That can mean training up our local leaders or working with local youth projects to produce souvenirs to mark completing your challenge. These little extras, connecting you as closely as possible to local people and cultures, make the difference between having a great challenge and having a life changing moment.

Over the last few months Charity Challenge staff have been working hard to review and update our responsible tourism policy so that we can continue to ensure that we deliver on providing you with these life-changing moments on our challenges.

Within Charity Challenge, our Operations Team boasts not one, but two members of staff who are working towards a Masters degree in Responsible Tourism Management. Both Mireia and Andy care passionately about this new policy and are working tirelessly to make sure that Charity Challenge remain at the cutting edge of Responsible Tourism.

Our new Responsible Tourism policy aims to:

  • Use local owned services whenever possible.
  • Encourage transparency with our ground teams about what we DO and what we DON’T that is responsible on each challenge.
  • Support projects in the countries in which we operate, empowering local people, developing skills in a way that enhances the challenge experience.
  • Move towards using local leaders on all overseas challenges rather than UK or western leaders in destinations where we can maintain the same high safety standards and customer service.
  • Support the International Porters guidelines
  • Support internationally recognised best practice for animal welfare
  • Protect children’s rights

To see the full policy please click here.

Category: Responsible Tourism /

Oliver Proudlock swaps Chelsea for Peru…

October 3, 2016 / / No comments

Fashion designer and Made In Chelsea star, Oliver Proudlock, is currently in Peru and about to trek to Machu Picchu in aid of the British Heart Foundation.

Oliver Proudlock, and his girlfriend, model Emma Louise-Connolly, will trek at altitude for five days, following the ancient paths of the Incas, climbing beautiful mountains and experiencing the remote villages and breathtaking scenery before reaching the world-famous Machu Picchu.

Oliver Proudlock & Emma Louise Connolly

Oliver will be joining the fight for every heartbeat once again in honour of his family, who have been plagued by cardiovascular disease. His grandmother died from a ruptured aorta, his uncle has had heart bypass surgery, and his dad was diagnosed with a weak heart muscle in 2006.

Oliver said: “I am incredibly excited about the BHF’s Machu Picchu trek – I’ve never been to this part of the world and Machu Picchu is one of the most beautiful sights. And knowing that for every mile we walk, we’ll be helping fund the BHF’s life saving research, is an absolute privilege.

“The BHF is such an important cause to me as there is a long history of cardiovascular disease in my family. My dad and uncle are just two out of seven million people living with these conditions in the UK today, which is why the BHF’s research is so important. I would urge anyone to sign up to support the BHF by taking on this incredible trek or one of the BHF’s other overseas challenges.”

Oliver and the BHF trekking team in Peru

Krystyna Grant, Events Lead at the BHF, added: “We are delighted that Oliver and Emma have chosen to become Heart Trekkers and take on the trip of a lifetime in aid of the BHF. They will be helping us to make real strides in our research.”

Oliver and Emma are hoping to raise an incredible £4,000 for our life saving research. To donate, visit their JustGiving page.

Category: Uncategorized /

Icelandic Lava Trek by Tweets

September 8, 2016 / / No comments

Last month, more than fifty ‘Fabulous Challengers’ headed to Iceland to take part in the Icelandic Lava Trek for CoppaFeel! Kate Lewers was one of the participants on this amazing challenge, and she has tweeted her journey.

The traditional group photo before the flight

That’s some sky, and the weather is looking good!

A first glimpse of the incredible Icelandic landscape, which is diverse throughout the trek

Maybe we should get all participants to wear these… it’d make you easier to spot!

A sparkly trekker is a happy trekker!

There are a few river crossings along the trek

We have to agree!

A sense of humour is definitely key on a charity challenge!

Looks a lot easier than a river crossing!

Nearly there!

Well done Kate! And everyone else who took part on the CoppaFeel! Icelandic Lava Trek 2016.

A well deserved dip we think!

Feeling inspired? You could tackle the Icelandic Lava Trek yourself! Click here to take a look at our website for more details.

Category: Uncategorized /

Fabulous Icelandic Lava Trek for CoppaFeel!

September 5, 2016 / / No comments

Charity Challenge teamed up with Fabulous and CoppaFeel! for the Icelandic Lava Trek in August 2016. More than 50 brave participants took to the volcanic landscape of Iceland to trek nearly 60km through the ever changing scenery. With lush green hills, snow-capped peaks, steaming lava fields and ice-cold river crossings, it really was a diverse and challenging trek.

Fancy taking part yourself? Take a look at upcoming dates for our Icelandic Lava Trek, or perhaps our brand new Iceland Glacier Trek!

Category: Uncategorized /
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