Prima Solutions Adventure Challenge

In the heart of the Brecon Beacons in Wales, teams from the Fashion industry donned their sporting attire to take part in the fourth annual Prima Solutions Adventure Challenge.

All teams were quick off the mark with half setting off on mountain bikes and the other half starting with the hike. The bike route circled the Talybont reservoir where part way through teams took to the water for the canoeing leg of the challenge. After experiencing what some of those in the 3rd world experience daily by carrying buckets of water up part of the mountain, the hikers scaled the highest mountain in the south Wales - Penn y Fan. Upon the teams’ return to base camp, morale was high and everyone remained in excellent spirits. After a quick turnaround and some checking out of rival scores, the teams switched activities to complete the challenge.

Despite poor visibility at the top of Pen y Fan for most, the day remained clear and the sun made a welcome appearance. Everyone completed the challenge in well under 9 hours, so it was bikes down, bottles up, boots off and glad rags on for a 3 course meal and prize giving ceremony at the Angel hotel, Abergaevenny.

The most important prize went to Blues Clothing, who raised a staggering £11,000 for CARE International. Managing Director, James Twist, was on hand to collect the award on behalf of the teams. 

John Lewis Partnership won the prize - not for their matching green striped outfits - but for completing in the fastest time, although the possibility of watching some of the afternoon’s rugby doubled up as an excellent motivation by all accounts. Timberland Team 1 was hot on their heels and crossed the finish line in second place whilst also taking second place for their fundraising efforts. 

Blues clothing Team 3 collected the most rubbish throughout the day to earn themselves a bottle of champagne and Women’s Wear Buyer won the photo competition with a quirky late entry. The brand new mountain bike that was kindly donated by Beddgelert Bikes was won by a member of the John Lewis Partnership.   

Any aching knees were long forgotten in time for the disco and some excellent dancing skills were demonstrated on the dance floor.

To date, the event has raised over £50,000 for CARE International which will fund work including emergency response as well as longer term projects to tackle the deep-seated causes of poverty.

Thank you to everyone who took part and also to our sponsor Prima Solutions - the UK’s leading provider of multi-channel software solutions for the clothing, footwear & fashion industry - who have sponsored this event for 4 years and without whom, the event simply would not have been so successful. John Norman, Managing Director, Prima Solutions said: ‘I am delighted that we managed to raise £50,000 for CARE. This is a great event and once again I’d like to thank everyone who participated in, and contributed to its success.’

The Challenge team second John’s sentiments and thank everyone – participants and volunteers - for taking part. From start to finish, there was an excellent atmosphere: great banter and a great show of sportsmanship.

Challenge Team over and out / over / out …