Hopefully, you may already have read about my challenges over the next seven months, if not you can ‘read all about it’ or even sponsor me by clicking the following link:
Through Springboard, I have already managed to place 6 young people into work experience or placements within my region. Interviewing the candidates was a revelation, with each and every one on-time, immaculately dressed, knowledgeable about Elior and passionate about their future careers. I’m told that they were all very nervous, but they didn’t show it!
Part of my commitment is to give on-going support and career advice to each recruit, and working closely with Springboard I aim to widen Elior’s involvement in this very worthwhile initiative.
In terms of the fundraising element of the challenges, a lot of work has been going on behind the scenes. Since Mike Audis gave me the great news that I was to be ‘the chosen one’, what with the detailed registration process, drafting details of each event, establishing contacts, creating a ‘theme’ (thanks to Gary Ashworth for the Logo), writing walking club risk assessments and lots more besides, it’s been pretty hectic!
The ‘Elior Hillwalking Club’ is about to get off the ground, with a ‘taster’ walk on Sunday 26th September, followed by increasingly testing training walks every few weeks. I hope that we get a good team together to take on the ‘Cloud Seven Circuit’ on the weekend of 12th & 13th March 2011. This 33 mile slog is described by the Long Distance Walkers Association as:
“a strenuous route over high ground between Leek, Buxton, Macclesfield and Congleton. The route is named after the group of seven hills called ‘Cloud Hills’, and includes over 7,000ft of ascent & descent”.
Each participant, including yours truly, will be raising personal sponsorship towards the overall target for Springboard, and they will earn every penny in sore muscles and the odd blister!
I’m really excited about the other events too. The ‘Krypton Factor’ competition will set teams of four head to head in seven challenges at Grafham Water near Huntingdon in Cambridgeshire. It will be a lot of fun, and a great opportunity to get clients involved, although the number of teams will be limited to twelve.
The ‘Jail Break’ is less restricted, and teams of two will be asked to complete seven challenges in their local area. I haven’t decided on all of the tasks yet, but rest assured they will get people thinking and using their powers of persuasion. Without giving too much away, once entries and entry fees have been received, I will send out a list of seven challenges to be completed over seven hours on a single day. The 4 weeks allowed for planning will be crucial to success, and photographic evidence is essential.
I hope that everyone will give their support to the seven challenges and fundraising wherever, and however they can, as this will ultimately help to give opportunities to some enthusiastic young people who just want to be given a chance in life. If you have any ideas to raise even more money, (or if you want to critique my Blog!) give me a call or email me.
Thanks for reading this, watch out for the next update….
Best Regards, Stewart.
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