Have you got what it takes to conquer the Ben Nevis Challenge?

Have you got what it takes to conquer the Ben Nevis Challenge?

06/02/2008

Two of the UK’s leading disability organisations are asking you to make a date with a difference this Valentine’s Day and sign up for a fundraising challenge that will help change the lives of many disabled children and adults throughout the UK.

Capability Scotland and Scope have joined  forces with  Beyond Boundaries presenter and Ex SAS Major, Ken Hames to organise the UK’s first ever ascent of Ben Nevis led by disabled people in wheelchairs.   The Ben Nevis challenge, which takes place on 31st May 2008, will involve teams of disabled and non disabled people working together to conquer Britain’s highest peak.

The two organisations are now seeking enthusiastic, energetic, motivated individuals to take on the challenge and help raise £100,000 which will be used to support services for disabled children and adults throughout the UK.

If you think you have what it takes, make a date for 14th February, 4pm – 6pm.  Event sponsors, Burness, will be hosting an information evening in their Glasgow offices (Aurora building, Bothwell St).  Ken Hames will be presenting and you will be able to find out everything you need to know about the event – including information about training, equipment and top fundraising tips.

Each team of six people will be led by a wheelchair user, who will navigate and direct their team up to the summit of the UK’s highest peak in the quickest time.

The race is now on to find ten teams who are willing to take up this ultimate team challenge event which will involve disabled and non-disabled people working together to achieve a shared vision.

Ken Hames said: “This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to take part in the ultimate team challenge and we hope lots of people from the UK’s leading companies will sign up for this exciting and worthwhile event. 

“It will certainly test their powers of leadership, teamwork and communication skills. However, the sense of achievement, valuable skills developed and positive impact on staff morale will have important benefits for all the companies involved that extend far beyond the event itself.”

Alan Dickson, Chief Executive of Capability Scotland and Jon Sparkes, Chief Executive of Scope said:

“As the UK’s two leading charities focusing on people with cerebral palsy, we are delighted to be working in partnership on this ground-breaking event. It will make a huge contribution to our work to support disabled people and campaign for disabled people’s human rights.
 
“There is no doubt it will present a formidable yet exciting challenge to all those who take part – both disabled and non-disabled. We hope it will also change society’s perceptions about disabled people and powerfully demonstrate that disability has no boundaries.”

Philip Rodney, Chairman at Burness said:

“We are delighted to be involved with the Ben Nevis Challenge. The fact that the team leaders in this event to climb Scotland’s highest mountain are wheelchair users will play a major part in raising awareness about disabled people’s equality. A valuable by-product for us is that the challenge will provide a practical application of our team building at Burness and gives us all the opportunity to participate in a truly worthwhile event which reinforces our core values.”

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For more information please contact Julie Burley in the Scope press office on 0207 619 7372 or email julie.burley@scope.org.uk or Raemond Charles in the Capability Scotland press office on 0131 347 1015 or email raemond.charles@capability-scotland.org.uk

Notes to Editors:

• If you wish to enter a team from your company, please contact Clare Furnival on 020 7619 7181 or clare.furnival@scope.org.uk or Ann Ward on 0131 347 1049 or ann.ward@capability-scotland.org.uk – who are signing up teams from all over the UK on behalf of Scope and Capability Scotland
• An information evening will be held on 11 February from 6 to 8pm at Scope’s offices at 6 Market Road, London N7 9PW
• Scope is a national disability organisation which focuses on people with cerebral palsy, a physical condition that affects movement
• Scope’s mission is to drive the change to make our society the first where disabled people achieve equality. Our Time to Get Equal campaign aims to build a mass movement of one million people to help achieve this. To find out more visit www.scope.org.uk

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