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Fund raising events:
THE LONDON MARATHON
We have a number of spaces available for the FLORA London Marathon and we invite people to run in this great event for us, contact your local Centre or our National Office.
THE MS CHALLENGE - TAKES PLACE EVERY YEAR IN JULY
The Challenge is exclusively a fund-raising activity for MS Therapy Centres and since it's inception some ten years ago over £500,000 has been raised to benefit MS people - a fantastic achievement. It is very difficult to put down in a few words just what the MS Challenge is all about and how much of a super event it is for all those taking part - but here goes.
THE LOCATION
The present format - a 6-mile orienteering course surrounding the Plas y Brenin Mountain School at Capel Curig, Snowdonia - came about following a visit several years ago to John Wright from the Mountain School. He understood straight away what was needed and has been an essential part of our team ever since. We have also been fortunate enough to have the help and support of a small but dedicated group of local residents - without their help and expertise the event would never have taken off.
WHAT IS THE ATTRACTION?
For the MS person there is the thrill of doing and being part of something many had long given up hope of ever managing again. The team members also get a tremendous lift and many of them will have never participated in an event like this. Once they have all got their breath back and pinned on their medals, they go away full of just how good it is to be part of a team. We have had people coming back for the fourth and fifth time. For the organisers and support teams, seeing the looks of apprehension on the faces of the MS passengers when they arrive at the start turn to expressions of absolute delight as they complete the Challenge course is a real joy, and something that makes all the hard work worthwhile.
SETTING UP
So, how do you go about staging an event in the wilds of Snowdonia? Having the Army on board is a major asset - they too have been an invaluable part of the team since the early days, providing an on-site tented village for the many competitors to sleep in over the Challenge weekend. Without their continuing support and enthusiasm the event would lose a great deal.
Setting up takes a lot of behind the scenes work to get as many as 50 teams to arrive on the right day and at the right time. The site chosen for the MS Challenge has proved to be just that. We have to supply everything from loo rolls to spare wheelchairs and it has to be transported to Snowdonia from all over the place. We are very lucky in that the Mountain School allow us to store a fair amount of equipment on-site.
THE COURSE
When we first looked at the present course in January 1994, the rivers were in full flow - we looked in disbelief at the raging waters, but were assured (correctly) that by the summer everything would have died down to gently flowing streams. However, that doesn't mean there aren't problems even in June and July.
As the Challenge takes place over Friday, Saturday and Sunday the course has to be set up afresh each day Of course, all this had to be cleared with the relevant controlling bodies and landowners - fortunately most of them now know us. They also know that we respect the countryside and will leave things as we find them.
AND FINALLY...
We know just how important an event such as this is to many of the Therapy Centres and just how much enjoyment and fun the Challenge generates - long may it continue.
A PERSONAL REPORT ON THE EVENT FROM A COMPETITOR
"Having MS makes for many revisions to your life - I used to go fell walking, camping and Youth Hostelling as a youngster. Now, trips outdoors are only undertaken if a wheelchair can come along as well. Which is where the MS Challenge comes in - what other charity event allows you to climb steep gradients, wade through rivers and bogs and generally commune with nature for three hours - all whilst sitting in a wheelchair? This is the ultimate thrill ride. No one I have spoken to who has taken the 'Challenge' has a bad word to say about it.
Every team is very careful with their MS passenger, and all are keen to get stuck in and complete the course. And what a course - this is no charity trip down the High Street in fancy dress! Every team member gets wet and muddy, and they love it. This is an event that involves all participants and they all cross the finishing line feeling they have done something worthwhile
This year my team were anxious to improve on their previous time of 3hrs 20mins, and I felt they could be trusted to look after me, so we took the plunge and managed a time of 3hrs exactly. The team was elated, but the time wasn't important - just getting round the course gave everyone a nice warm feeling inside. Some team times are around the 2hr 30min mark, some take much longer, but each go at their own pace according to circumstances and the wishes of their MS passenger.
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