The Human BBQ, Ball Breaker and the Cement Mixer, this summer a team of fundraisers will take on the ultimate test of fitness and stamina as they raise money for two charities.
On Saturday 1 August a team of fundraisers from the Civic Centre in Carlisle, the Civic Warriors, will tackle more than 40 obstacles at the annual Total Warrior event at Shap Abbey. This year’s Total Warrior will be special for the group as they raise money in aid of Eden Valley Hospice and Action for Charity: Woman V Cancer.
Group member, Blaine Cruddance, said “A little while after organising the Civic Warriors team, Laura Thompson, one of our team members came to me with the idea of doing the event for a charity called Action for Charity: Woman V Cancer. As well as taking part in Total Warrior she is also part of an organised cycling event in Africa and hopes to raise money for both events for the charity.
“We all get to raise money for a great cause while she gets the opportunity to take part in another fantastic challenge. We also thought that it would be a good idea to raise money for a local charity too, which is when Eden Valley Hospice was suggested – an amazing charity close to many people’s hearts.”
Laura Thompson added “Woman V Cancer is a charity that supports 3 charities: Breast Cancer Care, Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust and Ovarian Cancer Action. Supporting these charities and Eden Valley Hospice are all very important to me as my mum died in Eden Valley Hospice in September 2011.
“I have since then raised over £3,000 for the Hospice to help them in supporting the excellent care they provide for people. I have many friends who have fought the battle and won and some who have lost the battle with cancer. Supporting Woman V Cancer will hopefully provide a better chance of fighting this cruel disease.”
This is not the first time which Blaine has undertaken the Total Warrior challenge at Shap Castle having taken part every year since the event started.
Blaine added, “This will be my fifth consecutive year, always doing the 10km version rather than the 10 mile. It is a great personal challenge and has become a yearly goal for me to complete. I’m not the fittest person in the world, so this gives me something to work towards each year. I never really set a target with how quickly I would like to complete the course, as simply getting across the finish line is good enough for me!
“This year however, I decided I wanted to do it as part of a team, as it always seems that the people working together on the course have the most fun. So I decided to create the Civic Warriors, of which there are currently 17 members, including myself.”
Everybody taking part in Total Warrior will have their own reason, memory and purpose for undertaking the endurance challenge. Whether it is to complete the course in a personal best time or to raise money for charity they will all create memories which will last a life time.
“I’m really looking forward to doing Total Warrior as part of a team this year for the first time. I think it will make the whole experience very different and I think it will prove to be a good laugh. Also, there are some obstacles which are very difficult to do on your own, such as the high walls. But I’m hoping we can conquer these as a team. Getting across the finish line for the fifth time will feel great. Although most of the obstacles are punishing in one way or another, there is always the big slide to look forward to.” Concluded Blaine
The money raised for Eden Valley Hospice by the Civic Warriors will help the local charity to provide the highest standards of care, support and activities to local adults and children with life limiting illnesses. This care and compassion is extended to all of the patients’ family, friends and carers. If you would like to sponsor the Civic Warriors as they take on the Total Warrior course please visit www.justgiving.com/teams/civic-warriors
If you would like to undertake your very own fundraising challenge in aid of Eden Valley Hospice please contact the Fundraising Team on 01228 817613 or visit www.evhospice.org.uk/Support-Us
Eden Valley Hospice 