Challenge poverty... Challenge Yourself

Leading overseas development agency CARE International UK have some tough events in store for anyone brave enough to rise to the challenge! Through the 2009 CARE Challenge Series, the organisation aims to raise well over £1.1 million for the charity’s essential work overseas, helping 55 million people in 70 countries find a route out of poverty.

In 2009, the CARE Challenge Team will be running 12 tough outdoor events in the UK, France and Spain, aimed at individuals and corporate teams from a wide range of sectors. These include the classic 3 Peaks Challenge – a tough 24-hour event which will see participants climbing the three highest mountains in Scotland, England and Wales: Ben Nevis (1334m), Scafell Pike (978m) and Snowdon (1,085m), all in the target time of 24 hours. Individual events include such adventures as cycling from London to Paris! Also on offer are the increasingly popular 3 Peaks Challenges Spain and a Scottish 3 Peaks Challenge. If 3 mountains in one day aren’t enough, there is also the CARE 24 Peaks Challenge – a grueling 24 peaks in as many hours, taking in some of the most spectacular scenery in the UK, in the stunning Lake District.
For all events, teams are supported every step of the way from signup to completion, with on-hand training and fundraising support from the Challenge Team.  Says Challenge Manager Michele Evans, “We have over 14 years’ experience of organising outdoor fundraising events, so participants are in the best possible hands. This ranges from help with fundraising and advice on training to safety on the mountainside and a great party at the end of each event. With over 90 pence in every pound going to our poverty fighting programmes, teams know that their efforts are more than worthwhile- they’re essential.”
The CARE Challenge Team are also conscientious about protecting the environment throughout the Challenge Series. Says Challenge Event Manager Neil Munro, “We specialise in UK events and minimise our impact on the environment, locally and globally. We have a strict code of conduct, developed alongside the Institute of Fundraising, including limiting participant numbers and using less popular routes to limit the effects of erosion. We donate 2 per cent of profits to maintain footpaths and run litter-picking contests! We limit teams to one vehicle each and offset any carbon emissions. So participants can enter knowing they’re working towards something truly remarkable.”
In 2008, a total of 180 teams across 12 events raised £1.1m for CARE, and the team hope to top this figure in 2009. Challenge poverty and challenge yourself- sign up today!
Find out more about the 2009 CARE Challenge Series by visiting www.carechallenge.org.uk.

For more information:
Jo Broughton, CARE Challenge PR & Communications Executive
020 7934 9414 or This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
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