Taunton man, Dan Brice, Operations Director at Channel UK Events CIC decided to set up an initiative called ‘Stay Home – Virtual Challenges’ to encourage participation in physical activity within the confines of your own home during the COVID-19 lockdown.
Entering the challenges is free but if you would like a wooden medal to commemorate your success there are purchasable options. All entries give access to a Facebook community group where entrants gain support from the company and other entrants.
Listen again to our EXCLUSIVE interview with Dan at the bottom of THIS page!
In true Channel Events style, Dan took the lead and set up a challenge in his own home to gather momentum. A virtual ‘Westcountry 3 Peaks’ was the idea and the plan was ascending the combined height of the three highest points in Somerset, Devon and Cornwall which totals 1540 metres.
Using a range of obstacles such as the Kids climbing frame, a pallet A frame and the flat roof garage meant Dan could achieve 8 metres of ascent per lap so Dan set out to complete 200 laps meaning the total height would be surpassed and a nice round number of laps for ease of counting.
At 64.5 meters of travel per lap Dan would complete a total of 12.88 kilometres (8 miles) of running as well as the ascent.
Dan has always been a keen fundraiser for a range of charities. 2 weeks before the challenge was due to take place, he heard from a friend who volunteers for the Exmoor Search and Rescue Team that they hadn’t been supplied with any PPE from the government to help them stay safe from COVID-19 when out on a shout.
The team is a volunteer blue light service deployed by the Police and Dan was horrified to here they had to self-fund their PPE so decided to set up a fundraising page and promote the challenge with the aim of raising £500 which seemed a tall order given the current climate.
Donations came in and by 09:30 on Sunday 10th May when the challenge was due to start Dan achieved the £500 target. Now all he had to do was complete the 200 laps. It took Dan 4 hours and 38 minutes to get over the finish line and by the time he finished donations had passed £750. At the time of writing this article the total raised has hit £1100.
Dan told Tone News:
I am completely overwhelmed by the generosity of so many people at this very difficult and uncertain time. The funds will make sure many of my friends and colleagues who volunteer for the team can be protected against this awful virus.
If you would like to donate you can do so by visiting the Virgin Money page and if you are interested in entering the ‘Stay Home – Virtual Challenges’, you can do that by visiting the Channel Events website.
Listen again to our EXCLUSIVE interview with Dan below:
