Businesses Invited to Participate in Virtual Coast to Coast Corporate Challenge to Support Cumbrian Communities in Need
On Thursday, April 11th, 2024, a team of brave individuals braved icy rain on St Bees beach to launch an appeal for businesses to take on a Coast to Coast challenge. The challenge aims to raise money for Cumbrian people and communities in need.
The team, led by Caroline Adams, relationships officer with the Cumbria Community Foundation, launched the challenge at St Bees beach despite the harsh weather conditions. However, businesses taking on the 171-mile challenge will not have to face the unpredictable Cumbrian weather. Instead, they can participate in the comfort of their own homes, offices, or gyms.
The Virtual Coast to Coast Corporate Challenge, organized by the Cumbria Community Foundation, invites teams from Cumbrian businesses to match the distance of the popular UK long-distance trail, the Coast to Coast walk. The challenge was launched as part of the Foundation’s 25th anniversary celebrations.
Andy Beeforth, chief executive of the Cumbria Community Foundation, expressed excitement about the challenge, saying, “This is a brilliant way for businesses and our corporate supporters to raise money for local causes. For 25 years, the Foundation, through generous donors, has had a positive impact on thousands of lives. This challenge will help us to continue to do so. We also hope it will be a fun way for businesses and their staff to join together and give back to their community.”
All Cumbrian businesses and organizations are invited to participate in the Virtual Coast to Coast Corporate Challenge. Each business can register through a team captain, and each team member will have their own fundraising page. The money raised will go towards the Cumbria Community Foundation’s Cumbria Fund, which supports Cumbrian people and communities in need. Alternatively, businesses can choose to raise money for their own charitable fund if they have one with the Cumbria Community Foundation.
The challenge takes inspiration from Alfred Wainwright’s popular Coast to Coast Walk, which runs from St Bees in Cumbria to Robin Hood’s Bay. Participants can virtually cover the 171 miles by any means, such as walking, running, swimming, or using a treadmill or rowing machine. The only method not allowed is cycling. Steps taken each day during the challenge count towards the total mileage, meaning tasks such as walking the dog, cleaning the house, or doing the weekly shop can all contribute.
Teams will have six weeks to complete the 171 miles between Monday, May 20th and Monday, July 1st. This averages out to about four miles per day. Every mile completed and every pound collected will make a difference to Cumbrian good causes. Participants can track their progress on their fundraising page through Strava or by manually logging their miles. Supporters can donate directly to each team member’s page.
Rory Black, Director at Designworks in Kendal, expressed excitement about participating in the challenge, saying, “The Virtual Coast to Coast Challenge is a great way to get people active whilst supporting a fantastic cause. The team at Designworks decided to take on the challenge because it is accessible and can be completed by walking, running, swimming, static exercise bike, and rowing machine, so it has something for everyone. We are looking forward to getting involved and raising funds for individuals and community groups in Cumbria.”
If you are a Cumbrian business and would like to take part in the Virtual Coast to Coast Corporate Challenge, you can find out more information at https://www.cumbriafoundation.org/virtual-coast-to-coast-corporate-challenge-2024/. To register, visit https://register.enthuse.com/ps/event/CorporateCoasttoCoastChallenge2024. For information about becoming a Corporate Member of the Cumbria Community Foundation, visit https://www.cumbriafoundation.org/membership/corporate-membership/.
This article was distributed by https://pressat.co.uk/.
