Prima Solutions Adventure Challenge 2007 post-event report

The great British weather added an extra challenging dimension to the second Prima Solutions Adventure Challenge, exclusively for the fashion & retail sector, which took place on Sunday 16th September 2007 in North Wales’ Snowdonia National Park.

Nevertheless, the 11 participating teams, recruited from 9 companies – including Banner, Drapers, Hugo Boss, Marks & Spencers, USA Pro, and event sponsors Prima Solutions - were unfazed by the torrential driving rain and 60mph wind speeds, as they biked, hiked and canoed their way round Snowdonia in good time and good spirits.

The day’s proceedings kicked of at Beddgelert Forest early on Sunday morning, where teams assembled for their first briefing of this 12-hour multi-activity challenge – a tough 2 ½ hour strategic mountain bike ride over rocky undulating terrain. This involved collecting as many orienteering points en route around the forest within the fixed time as possible, to avoid incurring penalties. Several of the checkpoints also offered bonus point to teams, upon completion of a mental challenge.

Conditions started out fine, but it wasn’t long before the early morning drizzle had settled into driving rain, which continued and got progressively worse throughout the whole day.

Once back at base camp, there was no let up to proceedings, where teams were tasked with completing a mental challenge of dropping wooden “CARE packages” into the correctly marked “continents” [buckets]. Then it was a quick turnaround, before embarking on the second challenge of the day – a climb up Snowdon’s Llanberis path. Unfortunately, due to the worsening weather conditions – with severe gusts and torrential rain, teams were unable to reach the summit, as the mountain guides were forced to drop the summit point to just over halfway up the mountain.

Teams then had just one more activity to complete; 30 minutes canoeing around picturesque Llyn Padarn. Despite the pouring rain, all but one team managed to complete this final stage of the challenge and without capsizing, before it was a grateful return to the Royal Victoria Hotel in Llanberis for hot showers, dry clothes, a much-needed hot meal, and a celebratory beer or two.

At the post-event reception, the weary but jubilant teams were presented with medals and t-shirts. Speeches were given by CARE UK Chairman, Richard Greenhalgh, who spoke about the challenges facing CARE’s work, while Prima Solutions’ MD and enthusiastic team participant John Norman praised the dedication of this year’s teams and fellow colleagues. In particular Banner – our current Fundraiser of the Month - and the event’s top fundraisers Marks & Spencers, for not only raising a fantastic £15,000, but also making the fastest time overall, at 8 hours 5 minutes.

A special award was also made to exclusive media partner and participating team Drapers, for their support in helping recruit and promote the event to the fashion and retail sector.

The reception culminated in the final challenge of the day - on the dance floor! A remarkable turnout of participants demonstrated that they still had enough energy left to strut their stuff enthusiastically into the wee hours.

Collectively, teams raised a fantastic total of £60,000 – which exceeds last year’s total of £55,000. John Norman expressed his delight at the result, saying: “We are extremely pleased that so many of last year’s participating companies came back on board for the second Prima Solutions Adventure Challenge, and helped to beat last year’s fundraising total. Despite the weather, we had a really fantastic day, and are already looking forward to next year. We would like to extend our thanks to the fashion and retail sector for making such a valuable contribution to CARE International’s excellent work in challenging poverty.”

CARE Challenge Fundraising Manager Michele Evans, added: “This is a great result for a demanding challenge, and teams should be very proud of their achievement. Congratulations and a sincere thank you to everyone for contributing to this success - we look forward to welcoming you back next year!”

To get a feel for what the event is all about, or just to relive the day’s events, click here for our event photo gallery.

If you’d like to register your interest for the 2008 event, please click here.

Prima Solutions Adventure Challenge 2007 Team Results

 

Team Name	Call sign	Biking	Snowdon	Canoe	Penalty	Briefs	Total Time
Marks & Spencer	Conflict	02:30	02:05	00:30	00:30	02:30	08:05
Price & Buckland	Farming	02:30	02:05	00:32	00:30	02:30	08:07
CARE UK	Project	02:30	02:17	00:31	00:20	02:30	08:08
Crystal Martin	Water	02:30	02:15	00:33	00:30	02:30	08:18
Prima Solutions Team 3	Trade	02:30	02:59	00:34	00:20	02:30	08:53
Banner	Urban	02:30	02:38	00:48	00:30	02:30	08:56
Prima Solutions Team 2	Health	02:30	03:08	00:30	00:20	02:30	08:58
USAPro	Climate	02:30	02:57	00:42	00:40	02:30	09:19
Prima Solutions Team 1	Educa- tion	02:30	03:02	00:38	00:40	02:30	09:20
Drapers	Market	02:30	03:03	00:39	00:40	02:30	09:22
Hugo Boss	Shelter	02:30	02:13	N/C	00:20	02:30	07:33