Worksop: North Notts staff and students celebrate 20 years of the College Challenge

Every year the college carries out activities to test fitness, courage, and determination in the name of charity and has raised thousands of pounds for numerous charities over the past 20 years.

This year’s challenge was no different.

It was called the Snowdonia Cross Adventure Challenge and involved a mountain bike ride on the Marin Trail, climbing Moel Siabod and completing a wild swim in Llyn Padarn.

Students and staff gathered at the college on the Saturday morning at 5am for the long journey to Snowdonia.

The first part of the challenge was to undertake the Marin Trail, a red cycling route which is classified as a difficult level mountain biking.

The group then climbed back on the mini buses for the journey to commence the Moel Siabod climb of a 3,000-foot mountain with a high degree of scrambling.

And the final part of the challenge was a wild swim in Llyn Padarn which was carried out the following day after an overnight stay of bed and breakfast in the local youth hostel.

Everyone completed the challenge, there were no injuries or setbacks and a group made its homeward journey on Sunday once dried and warmed from the cold morning swim.

Alan Viggers, the challenge organiser and lecturer at the college and one of the original pioneers who started the college challenge 20 years ago said; “It is amazing that the challenges are still running and that so many students as well as staff take part in them each year.”

“Our moto is ‘Why do we do it… because we can’ but the main reason is to have fun and raise as much money as possible for charity.”

“Many local and national charities have benefitted over the past 20 years through the hard work and effort that each member has put into the challenges.”It’s a personal challenge as well and each and every person who gets involved tends to want to come back and do other challenges”

“It can become addictive and is a highlight on the college calendar.”

This year has been quite staggering the number of students that have wanted to be involved and I’m proud of each and every one of them for their team spirit, camaraderie and determination to complete it.”

“The next challenge will be collecting all the sponsor money in.”

Daniel Hazelhurst, 18, from Worksop was one of those who completed the challenged and commented: “It was a fun and exciting experience, definitely worth doing again.”

Jade Brunt, 19, also from Worksop, added: “It really was a challenge but very enjoyable, we all spurred each other on and it was an amazing feeling when I reached the top.”

“I have never done anything like this before and it was an experience I will never forget.”

“The college challenge is definitely something I would like to do again, and with the right training would definitely say bring it on.”

Lynn Crowder, additional learning support assistant at the college added “I would like to say a big thank you to everyone who took part in the college’s 20th anniversary challenge this year, the weekend was fantastic.”