Cumbrian Challenge

The Cumbrian Challenge, now in its sixth year, was set up to raise funds to support WWTW's programmes, getting wounded veterans back into work. This event is critical in raising funds to achieve this.

• Each team is challenged to work together as part of your team-building preparation and fundraise £2,000 before your big day. You will be amazed what you can achieve.
• Set up your JustGiving page here so it becomes part of our leaderboard for the event and use the 'team' functionality to group your individual pages together.
• Download a fundraising pack here for ideas and tips of how to hit your target. You can call Viveca or Andy on 01263 863 902 if you need any further support or are stuck for ideas..

Incentives:

• The first 5 teams to raise £2,000 will receive four limited edition, Helly Hansen, Walk Of Britain expedition waterproof jackets.
• Every team that raises £2,000 before the event will receive limited edition, Cumbrian Challenge beanies to wear at the event and showcase your efforts.
• Each corporate team of four that raises £10,000 or more will receive a free talk for staff or clients from Duncan Slater, a WWTW beneficiary and the first double leg amputee to ski to the South Pole and also to complete the Marathon des Sables.

5 key fundraising tips to blast past your £2,000 team target:

• 100% uplift – create your online fundraising page and send it out!
• 46% uplift – add a target to your online page
• ?% – ask your employer about matched funding
• Stage an office sweepstake on your finishing position
• Host a ‘Come Dine With Me’, quiz, adventure talk night or BBQ evening before or after the challenge

Why are we doing this again?

"I was in a very dark place before I was referred to WWTW. Without their support I don't know where I would be. I now feel I have a bright future ahead of me." Adam, ex Green Howards Infantry Regiment, injured in training

"Asking for help is the hardest thing I've ever done, bit it does work... talking helps." Harry, diagnosed with mental health issues following basic training

"I wouldn't be where I am now if it wasn't for the help provided by WWTW. In fact, I would probably be dead." Leon, ex Welsh Guards with tours to Iraq, Bosnia and Afghanistan, diagnosed with PTSD

The ‘Mountain Goats’ team from AEGIS London have been to every Cumbrian Challenge, led by Glen Pilkington.

Glen’s fundraising plan:

• We try and maximise our contacts in our working environment - people are very generous. So we do a company-wide email and also email our personal contacts with a fundraising page. This tends to get us at least 50% of our total.
• We also approach our company’s charity committee and up to date, we have received £200 per staff member competing, so £800 in total.
• I have also done a supermarket collection which raised about £200.
• Those are our three main methods, in addition to small collection boxes on our reception area. They are not particularly exciting ideas, but they work for us.

‘CHt Trekkers’ from Crown House Technologies (part of Laing O’Rourke), completed their first Cumbrian Challenge in 2016 and made the most of work connections to hit their fundraising target.

Tim's fundraising plan:

Timothy Wilson, a senior project manager for Crown House who led the team, said: “The CHt Trekkers team decided the simplest strategy would be to utilise our networks as the primary target for fundraising. As with most organisations we are lucky enough to have a mature, supportive, supply chain which became the first port of call for sponsorship. This support has provided 80% of the £2300 raised and was acquired in little more than a month.

“The remaining funds have been built by individual team members who started to utilise their work peer and personal networks to gain further fundraising. This is the area we then pushed to hit and exceed our target.” 

What are the event timings?

FRIDAY

• 16:00 Registration opens
• 19-21:00 Dinner served
• 21:00 Last briefing
• 21:30 Registration closes
• 22:30 Last orders at the bar
• 23:00 Site closed

SATURDAY

• 06:00 Site open
• 06:30 Breakfast served
• 07:30 Race start for Tougher route
• 08:00 Race start for the Tough route
• 08:30 Race start for the Peak route
• 17-21:00 Dinner served
• 19:15 Prize-giving and thanks from WWTW CEO Ed Parker
• 19:30 Music and cheap, cash bar
• 22:30 Last orders
• 23:00 Site closed

SUNDAY

• 11:00 All campers and cars off site

Your team entry fee includes:

• Friday and Saturday evening meal
• Saturday morning breakfast (bacon rolls!)
• Saturday afternoon hot and cold drinks and snacks at the finish line
• Finish-line “Cumbrian Challenge” beer on tap, courtesy of Keswick Brewing Co.
• A technical training t-shirt (to be worn during the event)
• Finishers medal and talk from WWTW CEO Ed Parker
• Water stops en route and First Aid teams
• Mountain rescue team (with vehicle support) and route marshalls
• Suggested training, food and required kit information
• Official timing and checkpoint control staff
• Health and safety route management
• Toilet facilities and showers at the site base
• Saturday evening entertainment

Kit List | Book camping 

What are the routes?

See details of the routes and how to pick the right one for you.

How can I make changes to my team / update or amend team members details?

Simply log into your NU Tickets account and click on “Tickets” to update your details or transfer your ticket if you can no longer make the event and are wanting to ‘sub in’ a friend.

If you are the team leader:

• Transfer a ticket to a team member by clicking on Tickets – Actions – Transfer.
• Amend your route choice and team details by clicking on “Groups”

You can change team members and/or your route choice up until 1 May.

If you have any issues please email viveca@wwtw.org.uk or call 01263 863 902.

I haven’t had any emails about final details for the event?

We send regular countdown emails so if you haven’t received any then something has gone awry. Please email viveca@wwtw.org.uk to let us know.

When is it? Friday and Saturday 18-19 May 2018

Where is it? Grasmere Sports Ground – The Showfield, Stock Lane Grasmere, Cumbria, LA22 9SL

What are the event timings?

FRIDAY

• 16:00 Registration opens
• 19-21:00 Dinner served
• 21:00 Last briefing
• 21:30 Registration closes
• 22:30 Last orders at the bar
• 23:00 Site closed

SATURDAY

• 06:00 Site open
• 06:30 Breakfast served
• 07:30 Race start for Tougher route
• 08:00 Race start for the Tough route
• 08:30 Race start for the Peak route
• 17-21:00 Dinner served
• 19:15 Prize-giving and thanks from WWTW CEO Ed Parker
• 19:30 Music and cheap, cash bar
• 22:30 Last orders
• 23:00 Site closed

SUNDAY

• 11:00 All campers and cars off site

Who needs to be at registration?

At least two members of each team must attend one of the safety briefings at registration which will take place every 45 minutes from 4pm until 9pm on the Friday.

This includes details about the route, the maps, the cut-off times and what to do in an emergency.

What happens at registration?

Teams sign in and receive their race numbers, laminated (waterproof) maps of the route and free WWTW tech t-shirts to wear during the challenge and a Cumbrian Challenge 2017 wristband to get their meals.

I can’t make registration – is that an issue?

Yes and no. We want as many people as possible to attend and register on the Friday night as time on Saturday morning is tight and we want you to concentrate on your bacon roll and getting to the start line. We do run a final safety briefing talk at 7am on the day of the event for teams who for whatever reason don’t get to us in time on Friday. We recognise that people get stuck at work, with family, on the motorway, so if you can’t make it on Friday night please call 07818 424 304 to let us know so we can have your packs ready on Saturday morning so you don’t miss the start.

Can I have a team of 2, 3 or 5?

No. You must have four people to a team. If you have more than four people wanting to enter then please try and recruit another team. This will be more sociable for you and bring in more fundraising for the charity.

If you are short of teammates then do contact the office as we always have other teams who have had people pull out too and sometimes WWTW staff help make up numbers.

How do I set up my team’s fundraising page?

You can set up your fundraising page here. This will then appear alongside all the other event fundraising pages so you can get tips and ideas from other teams.

Please note – research has shown that adding a fundraising target can increase donations by 46%. Be brave and tell people your goal. Participants with photos on their pages also raise 9% more and adding a summary or story as to why you are personally taking part can increase donations by 11%. Essentially, a personal touch will make a difference and if your friends and colleagues can see where you need to get to target wise it is another prompter to them to give generously.

How much do our team need to raise?

Teams are challenged to raise £2,000 with at least £1,000 in before the event to be able to take part - all on a best endeavours basis. If you have any concerns or worries then call us for ideas and ways you can easily work together to achieve this by

Figures to aim for:

£675 is the average cost of a course of therapy sessions through our mental health programme - Head Start

£706.56 is the average cost of a for each beneficiary in our employment programme which embeds employment advisors into homeless centres - Home Straight

£800 Will support a veteran through our criminal justice programme - Project Nova

£2361 is the average award for a beneficiary going through our retraining programme - First Steps

Where can I find more fundraising tips?

Please download our fundraising pack. Sell donuts in your office, hold a ‘come dine with me’ evening, a quiz, a sweepstake, a raffle, ask your work about matched funding… Here’s how to get your first £50.

Where can I get a sponsorship form?

Download one here.

I’m struggling with fundraising, can you help?

Yes. If you have any worries please call 01263 863 902 and ask for Viveca.

What do I do with cash or cheque donations?

CHEQUES – Make payable to “Walking With The Wounded” and send to Walking With The Wounded, Stody Hall Barns, Stody, Melton Constable, Norfolk NR24 2ED.

On the back of the cheque please write your name, team name and ‘Balmoral Challenge’ so we can allocate it to your fundraising effort.

Please do encourage anyone writing you a cheque to download a Gift Aid Form, to ensure we can claim an extra 25% on their generous donation. For more information on Gift Aid visit: www.hmrc.gov.uk/individuals/giving/gift-aid.htm

Please also add it to the ‘offline fundraising’ section of your Virgin Money Giving page or equivalent online page so your friends and team and those who’ve donated to you are aware of your efforts.

CASH – Please make a payment on your Virgin Money Giving page, write us a cheque or take the cash into any Barclays (Sort Code: 20-30-81 Account Number: 33616436) or Clydesdale Bank (Sort Code: 82-60-13 Acc. Number: 60181701). Ensure you put your name, team name and ‘Cumbrian Challenge’ in the reference.

Do you accept CAF cheques?

Yes. Please address them to Walking With The Wounded. Write your name, team and Cumbrian Challenge on the back and send it to: Katie Dagless, WWTW, Stody Hall Barns, Stody, Melton Constable, Norfolk NR24 2ED.

Where does the money go?

The money you so generously raise funds our programmes supporting vulnerable veterans back into independence through employment. Every £2,000 on average supports another veteran into work.

What do I need to wear?

Check out the kit list. The weather in the Lakes is very changeable, the temperature will drop by a degree every 100m you climb and with wind chill can be significantly colder. This year there will be a limited number of kit checks by our staff to ensure your safety and satisfy our insurers but we trust you to take appropriate clothing with you.

What are the t-shirt sizes?

XS 35″ S 38″ M 40″ L 43″ XL 45″ 2XL 48″

Is accommodation included?

No. There is limited amount of camping at the event ground which you can book when you register or via the link below.

For B&Bs please click here.

We kindly ask participants to arrange their own accommodation as unfortunately we do not have the time to help everyone with these requests.

Book camping at HQ

I’m camping at HQ, are there showers?

There are men's and women's changing rooms with hot showers in the sports pavilion which are reserved exclusively for campers as well as toilet and wash facilities.

I’m camping, do I have to bring my own tent?

Yes. There are toilet trailers, showers, changing rooms and wash sinks. Everything else you need to bring.

Where can I find a decent weather forecast?

The Mountain Weather Information Service

How fit/fast do I need to be?

For an indication of the pace you need to be able to walk at, and the routes you will be covering, have a look at our route page.

Are dogs welcome?

Yes. Well behaved(!) dogs are welcome. They need to be kept on a lead in any areas with livestock and are the responsibility of the owner at HQ. Please ask a volunteer if you need a water bowl.

Where is the nearest good pub?

There are a host of fine pubs in Grasmere – but we hope you join us on Friday and Saturday in the event marquee to meet WWTW staff, beneficiaries and other teams. There will be food and a cheap, cash bar. For Sunday lunch any of the local pubs are excellent.

Is the course marshalled? Do I need to be able to map read?

All this information is on our route page.

Where can I park?

You can part at the event ground and leave your car overnight on Friday and Saturday at your own risk. Usual common sense rules apply. Please don’t leave valuables in the car and please comply with all requests by our volunteers.

What food is given to competitors?

Friday and Saturday evening buffet meals. Bacon rolls for Saturday breakfast and afternoon tea and cake. Please note you need to provide your own packed lunch and emergency snacks for the hill itself.

Can I order a packed lunch?

Yes. Please email Hilary on argillhouse@gmail.com if you would like to order a packed lunch including your choices by no later than 12 noon Thursday 11th May 2017

Packed lunches are £8 (cash only on collection at the catering area of the main marquee from 7am Saturday 13th May)

• Sandwiches using Wholemeal Bloomer Bread (1 ½ rounds) with fillings choice (Choose 1 Filling) of Tuna savoury, egg savoury, ham or cheese & tomato
• Piece of Fruit
• Bag of Plain or Cheese & Onion Crisps (Choose 1)
• Paradise Slice or Flapjack (Choose 1)
• Sweet Treat
• Bottle of Water or Carton of Orange Juice (Choose 1)

All wrapped and placed in a bag ready for collection

£8 per Packed Lunch (cash only on receipt)

Is it true you get a beer at the finish line?

Yes, thanks to Adnams in 2016 and in 2017 thanks to Keswick Brewing Co. who have brewed a special ‘Cumbrian Challenge’ beer

Is there a free bar?

No. There’s a (cheap) cash bar on the Friday and Saturday with various beers, wine and soft drinks. All profit to the charity. Cash only so please stop at the cash machine before you come.

I’ve got a friend/family member who wants to come along, can they join us at HQ?

The race is strictly teams of four but friends/family are welcome at the event HQ. We just need to know numbers in advance and they will need to purchase an event wristband (a donation of £25 to the charity by calling the office on 01263 863 902) to cover their food and entertainment for the weekend.

Can I volunteer?

If you can’t take part and want to volunteer, or are coming along to support a colleague or family member and want to help out then please email viveca@wwtw.org.uk

Can I buy WWTW kit?

Yes, there will be a small merchandise stand selling hats, tech t-shirts, waterproof jackets and fleeces or you can visit our online shop in advance.

What happens if I need to pull out?

Each year we inevitably have a few teams which need to pull out from the Cumbrian Challenge in advance, because of injury or illness. The entry fee is non-refundable or transferable. Please take care during your training to pace yourself and build up distances slowly to avoid the risk of injury.

More questions? Please email viveca@wwtw.org.uk or call us on 01263 863 902.

Nigel Roberts, Head of Broker Relations, AEGIS London: "AEGIS London continues to take part in the Cumbrian Challenge because it is an event that epitomises teamwork. Teams take part, teams support them and the team at Walking with the Wounded then does incredible things with the money we raise. It is one of the first things we put into our calendar each year." 

Billy Menzies, Assistant Director Performance & Compliance, HMP Kilmarnock, Serco UK Justice and Immigration: “I have completed similar events before but the Cumbrian Challenge was the best event I’ve ever attended. The team had a terrific time, warmly welcomed by all as ‘Team Serco’, camping out for two nights and enjoying the camaraderie that surrounds WWTW events. All participants provided support to each other throughout the day as everyone completed the route. We actually gained team members over the course of the walk. There was such a buzz at the finish line. The beautiful scenery and the great outdoors were an added benefit.

“It was a fantastic, fun, team building event for our Standards Audit Unit, the route tested us and each of us took responsibility at different times to motivate and keep the team moving forward and focused. We still have the route map posted in the office and on occasion still use that day for inspiration.

“We had such an amazing time that I am returning to WWTW with other competitors from the prison to complete the Balmoral Challenge in June 2017 and highly recommend colleagues within Serco, and others, to take up the challenge.”

Victoria Hall, Service Excellence Manager, Arqiva: “Having entered the Cumbrian Challenge each year since 2013, we decided this year to introduce an element of friendly rivalry, with four teams from different parts of our business competing.

“The enduring benefits in terms of team-building and leadership experienced by all four teams were further enhanced by their sense of achievement in completing this challenging event in such wonderful scenery. We’re already looking forward to next year.”

Rob Partington, Director, OzoneFIT Military Fitness: “The event clearly captured everyone’s imagination, and it was clear the dedicated staff and volunteers lived and breathed this cause, which in turn filtered through to an overwhelming positive force of smiles and good will.

“It was great to see so many shapes, sizes and abilities and even dogs taking part in our adventure, proving that you don’t have to be of elite fitness to take part in a tough challenge. You just require the will and commitment. You could clearly see whilst watching participants cross the finish line, what the day had meant to them.

“In helping others, events like this help build team spirit and generate confidence and positivity, which its participants can take away and utilise in their own lives. That’s better than any goody bag!” 

David Wiley, Sales Director, Helly Hansen: “Working with Walking With The Wounded on the Cumbrian Challenge has been a valuable asset for Helly Hansen.

“The Challenge has enabled us to engage with some highly influential people, deliver our brand objectives by assisting with such a well-run experience and to gain valuable PR exposure – all while supporting this phenomenal charity at what is one of its biggest fundraising events in the calendar.

“We are proud to have been associated with the Cumbrian Challenge and would not hesitate to encourage other partners to experience the potential this event has to offer by offering their support.” 

Ian Lofthouse, Director Nuclear Integration, Submarines, BAE Systems: “The reason we got involved with WWTW, and particularly the Cumbrian Challenge, is because I spent 35 years as a nuclear sub mariner in the Royal Navy and we’re really keen to do more to show that the Armed Forces covenant is more than just a piece of paper – to actually demonstrate how we support the Armed Forces when they leave and start to look at work in industry.”

Stewart Sharman, Deputy MD and Head of Ex-Forces Programme, FDM Group: “Last year we came along to the event in Cumbria and thought it was so fantastic we’ve come along this year and sponsored the map.”

Patrick Dean, COO, Shard Capital: “Thank you all at WWTW for the amazing time Shard Capital had in the Lakes over the weekend. I was greeted in the office this morning by a lot of smiling, sunburnt faces, along with a few people walking like cowboys!”

Simon Hughes, Head of Marketing, Shard Capital: “A massive thanks to all the WWTW volunteers and beneficiaries who contributed to such an enjoyable weekend. Everyone is still buzzing and talking about more challenges…so you can rest assured you have a willing bunch of participants here at Shard Capital!”

James Lewis, CEO, Shard Capital: “I’m proud of the company’s fantastic response to the Cumbrian Challenge, with over a third of the workforce fundraising and participating across six Shard Capital teams. I was delighted to take part myself; spending the day walking in the stunning Lake District setting in the sunshine certainly helped make lighter work of the rugged terrain. The real effort comes from the amazing volunteers and ‎staff at Walking With The Wounded who are doubtless looking to next year’s event already. Shard Capital will be there to support those efforts too.” 

Ibrar Ali, Head of Operations, Speedflex Europe: “The Cumbrian Challenge 100% achieved everything we wanted it to and much more. From having to organise their own logistics to get to/from the event, to working together on the fundraising and the camaraderie built during the event, it was great. It gave me a chance to see each of the staff out of their comfort zone and was a good character-building activity too.”

Shaun Savory, HR Director, Birketts LLP: “The Cumbrian Challenge supports team building, leadership development, provides genuine inspiration and above all is fun. Our ongoing presence is guaranteed.” 

Jonathan Agar, CEO, Birketts LLP: “This is an excellent opportunity to help others, challenge ourselves and accomplish something remarkable with friends. I’m delighted to say that following the success of last year’s walk (2015), the partners and staff across all four of our offices are fully committed to Walking With The Wounded and we’ve entered seven teams (in 2016).” 

Nigel Farthing, senior partner and sponsor of the CSR committee, Birketts LLP: “It’s particularly pleasing that colleagues at all levels are supporting this fantastic challenge. As well as fundraising for this very worthwhile cause, there’s a huge personal development opportunity for all those involved; team building, morale and health.” 

Glen Pilkington, Head of HR & Learning and Development, AEGIS London: “We keep coming back to this event as it is an excellent challenge with clear outcomes supporting veterans who have walked in far more difficult locations than this. Undertaking the event with work colleagues is great fun and helps to build our own internal professional relationships” 

Sarah Elmes, HR Generalist, Bunn Fertiliser: “Feedback from all of our employees was that it was a great event to be involved in, it was really well planned and really enjoyable so thank you for organising it all.”

Loraine Keirl, Health Coordinator, Scott Bader: “I would just like to say on behalf of our team a mahusive Thank You to your Team, from the moment we arrived we were made to feel welcome an that continued throughout the weekend. I will definitely be recommending to some of my fitter colleagues to get teams together and take part next year.” 

Rhys Lloyd-Jones, Corporate Banking, RBS: “It was a great event and organised to the highest order. I’m ok now, not been too bad afterwards, but at the time I was done! Absolutely exhausted!”

Robert French, co-founder, The Beach Café Mundesley: “It was a real physical challenge ( and I am still hurting!) I enjoyed the stunning route and scenery, the element of risk, the teamwork, the chance to do something for a very good cause, and the sense of achievement at finishing. I thought the event was very well managed, and staffed.”

Peter Bristowe, Founding Director, Edison: “Thank you very much for staging an excellent Cumbrian Challenge. I am now walking like John Wayne but safe in the knowledge that it is all for a very good cause! I thought the route was excellent. The marshalling and check points were very well organised and the encouragement from all and sundry was hugely appreciated!”

Cheryl Burgess, PA to CEO & FD, Adnams: “Wow, what an amazing weekend in Grasmere! So well organised, the help from the marshalls, the team back at HQ on the Friday and Saturday was fantastic… Such a memorable weekend with the WWTW team. Thanks again for telling us about it. We are already talking about who we can put in the team (or teams!) for next year!”

Vicky Day, Head of Prevention and Rehabilitation, Office of the Norfolk Police and Crime Commissioner: “We all had a wonderful weekend, thank you so much for planning an absolutely awesome route which was challenging but with stunning views. You should all be really proud of yourselves for pulling together an amazing event, the atmosphere was buzzing. Only sustained one small blister – although I think this was a consequence of dancing in flip flops!”