Over the past year and a half a number of local businesses and schools have taken part in the Gold Challenge, one of the official London 2012 legacy projects. Working in teams they have collectively raised over £11,000 for Dorset disability charity Diverse Abilities Plus, bybeing sponsored to swim, run, walk or cycle a total of 2012 km before the Olympic Ceremony began.
The top three local business fundraisers included Ward Goodman, Inspire Financial Services and Sembcorp Bournemouth Water. Team Goodman Gold from Ward Goodman raised £2,072 alone and also were lucky enough to be one of the first to run on the 100m Olympic Stadium Track as part of the Gold Challenge in recognition of the company’s fundraising efforts.
Jen Richardson, Audit and Accounts Manager at Ward Goodman said: “We are extremely happy with the amount we raised. The whole team put so much effort in and Diverse Abilities Plus is a fantastic charity that provides a range of assistance, support and education services for young people, as well as adults and their families. We were also so thrilled to be one of the first to run on the 100m Olympic Stadium track as it made the experience of watching the world-class Olympic and Paralympic athletes on television so much more special.”
Warren Munson, Managing Director, at Inspire Financial Services, said: “The whole team had a great time completing the 2012km Challenge and it was a great effort by one and all. We’ve been supporting Diverse Abilities Plus over the past two years and will continue to do so.”
Other companies that took part in the Gold Challenge included Princecroft Willis, Marketing Matters, Serchen Interactive and Dorset Volunteers. Diverse Abilities Plus also had two teams taking part.
Pupils and staff from Canford School, Bryanston School,Yarrells Preparatory School, Lillipu tFirst Schooland Baden Powell and St PetersSchool, alongside their families, also took part in the Gold Challenge. Also Gary Schneider, Head of Sports, at Yarrells Preparatory School won the chance to be one of the first to run the Olympic track’s 50m relay race and was cheered on by hundreds of students from all four schools.
All the schools performed a vast variety of events such as running, jumping, kayaking, cycling and many others including some other activities to create varied and fun challenges that helped them reach their targets.
Mark Powell, CEO at Diverse Abilities Plus, said: “The 2012km Challenge was a fantastic initiative and we’re very grateful to everyone that took part. Everyone had great fun and we raised much needed funds for the charity. We are very pleased to have created some fantastic long-term relationships with many local companies and schools, and look forward to their continued support.”
The Charity needs to raise £340,000 this year in a difficult economic climate. A huge thank you to all Gold Challenge participants for helping to contribute to these much needed funds.
For more information or to contact Diverse Abilities Plus please visit www.diverseabilitiesplus.org.uk or call 01202 718266.
