Group makes headway for charity
Three independent charities sharing the same name and cause came together to deliver a survival event in aid of their organisations.
Headway groups Shropshire and Worcestershire, Birmingham and Solihull were supported by 45 people ready to get muddy, wet and challenge the wild in a two-day survival challenge in the Peak District last weekend.
The charities fundraised more than £15,000 in a first, successful event of its kind. Kim Kimberlee-Smith organiser and fundraiser for Headway Shropshire said “we felt it was quite a risky thing to do on our own – Although we share the name Headway, we’re all small and local, independent charities, so for big events such as Survive the Wild, we really needed to collaborate.”
The survivors trekked for 16 kilometres, scrambled up and down ghylls, climbed to reach the highest, 663 metres, point on the Dark Peak, camped, rock climbed, abseiled and traversed across a gorge. Having travelled from as far North as Carlisle for the event, people involved included staff from monitoring software CM2000, law firm Slater & Gordon, the Lake District National Park, staff and volunteers from all three Headway Groups and adventure enthusiasts.
Shelley Smith said: "This was an amazing experience and I am so happy we all managed to finish it, even though we are all wet and very, very tired. It was great to work with the team in activities and to achieve so much, all for a good cause. I am proud not only for participating but also for knowing that my fundraising will support a cause so close to my heart."
Kim added: "We are incredibly grateful to our sponsors who made it all possible and allowed us to keep our participants hydrated, allow them to munch on crisps, have a trophy and replenish their vitamins."
For any enquiries about Headway Shropshire, please contact Kim on 01743 365271 or fundraising@hwtl.org.uk.
