Extreme Team Challenge raises over £11k for recovery charity

Sunday 09 October 2016

Kayaking, coasteering, swimming, running and cycling - and all in one windy, rainy day. This may not be the usual Saturday agenda for many, but 19 teams bravely took on the charity challenge last month, raising over £11,000 for charity, it has been revealed.

The Extreme Team Challenge pitched teams from local organisations, schools and friendship groups against each other in a multidiscipline race taking place across Island coastlines to raise funds for Silkworth Lodge, a residential rehabilitation treatment centre for those with drug and alcohol dependency.

Despite difficult weather conditions, De La Salle’s “Gradebusters” completed the race in a comfortable 5 hours 45 minutes. Team “Whomp” followed in second place, while Team “Standard Bank - Failure is not an Option” was a close third.

To be able to enter, teams were required to raise £500 for Silkworth. But Team “Men of Pleasure”, led by Cliff Chipperfield, quadrupled this total, bringing in £2,045 - the most raised by any team in the event’s three-year history.

While last year’s takings enabled the refurbishment of the charity’s drop-in day facility, this year’s will see the money go towards enhancing the ‘Recovery Day Service’ by increasing the opening hours and introducing additional services to the facility.

Jason Wyse, CEO of the charity, said: “We’re absolutely delighted with the effort teams made this year to raise money for us, it shows the overwhelming amount of support the island’s community has for Silkworth and we are very grateful to be able to continue developing our services as a result.”