Towering mountains such as Snowdon and Ben Nevis or the daunting 25-mile Yorkshire Three Peaks challenge are all admirable goals for people looking to test themselves.

Tough terrain and long distances mean that inevitably there will be protesting limbs and a certain amount of weariness amid the elation for those completing the charity challenge.

However each year there’s a band of walkers who tend to forget their own aches and pains as they reflect on the money they’ve raised for their challenge and how it will benefit disabled children, which could include providing physiotherapy for youngsters learning to walk for the first time.

According to Caudwell Children this is just one of the many ways that funds raised through the UK trek challenges help transform the lives of disabled children.

For more than six years now Large Outdoors has led groups who embark on a trekking challenge on behalf of Caudwell Children. In 2019 their efforts raised nearly £7000, underlining the importance of these events for the charity.

As Vicky Glanville, events assistant explains: “Our UK challenge hikes are always popular as they will stretch people while being achievable. Plus they make for a good adventure over a weekend without people having to make extensive travel arrangements.

“Having been on a number of the treks, including the Yorkshire Three Peaks, I know that the Large Outdoors guides come into their own during the day as they provide great encouragement for people just when they need it. They are always very knowledgeable and we always feel safe and looked after.

When the charity outlines how they use the funds raised it becomes apparent just how important each and every pound can be, with smaller sums proving to be every bit as useful as the larger amounts that enable more expensive purchases.

For instance £15 can provide an hour of practical and emotional support from the charity’s Family Services team to help families when they need it most while £50 can fund a short break activity day that will enable a disabled child to learn new skills or make new friends.

At the other end of the scale, £5,000 enables Caudwell to purchase a specialist sports wheelchair while £20,000 can provide a child with a powered wheelchair.

So when the going gets tough on one of these treks, particularly when a blister erupts on your foot or a nagging ache begins in your hip, all it takes is to remember some of Caudwell Children’s many successes to make your endeavours worthwhile and the pain subside!

For instance it could be recalling the story of a 10-year-old boy with mobility issues due to Downs Syndrome who can now go outside with his family after being given a tricycle to ride on; or 11-year-old Luke who has cerebral palsy and now has more independence after the charity provided him with a powered wheelchair.

Vicky outlines the 2020 walking challenge plans: “This year's treks will be part of Caudwell Children's #Team20 celebrations to mark the 20th anniversary of the charity's foundation.

“Throughout 2020 Caudwell Children is encouraging people to engage with the charity in a number of ways, including taking part in fundraising events and challenges, volunteering for the charity, or raising awareness of the charity's services, in order to join their #Team20.”

For more information and booking details for the 2020 Caudwell Children UK treks go to…..

If your charity would like to organise a charity challenge please contact the office for our latest prices and brochure…