Mud Pack Challenge Raises £60K for Local Hospice Care
It was an incredible morning at Ashridge House in Berkhamsted on Sunday 15 October. 550 fantastic Mud Packers raised over £60K at the eighth Mud Pack Challenge that the Hospice of St Francis has hosted. The obstacle course run boasted over 30 muddy obstacles covering 7km or 14km. There was also a first for the event… a special Mud Pack proposal! HUGE congratulations to Danielle and Jeremy.
The Hospice gives thanks to everyone who helped make The Mud Pack Challenge a whoppingly good fun event including British Gas the headline sponsor, Framework Foundation, Ashridge House, and Paul Stevens Personal Training, the course director. Special thanks also go to AJ Cornthwaite Agricultural Contractors, Blaines Tyres, Mark Gent Services, Mark Bradley at Terra Firma Ground Investigation, Travis Perkins, Holywell Haulage, Herts Tool Co, Berko Tool Hire, The Real Christmas Tree Farm and to the wonderful garden team at Ashridge House, along with so many others who donated their time and materials to help build the course and make this event a huge success.
A massive shout out also goes to photographer Roger at Ashridge Media for capturing some quality moments.
Local PT and course designer, Paul Stevens, shares his favourite memory, ‘I spotted a green swimming hat approaching the final section of the course. I noticed straight away that the participant was showing great determination and agility as he bounded and scaled the obstacles the lay in front of him. I was drawn in… I wanted to see more! I took a moment to congratulate him after he tackled the last obstacle and had the honour of giving him a hug at the finish line.
‘His name was Brian, and he’s 83 years old. If I have half the levels of fitness, determination, agility, strength, and mindset as Brian when I am just 63, I’ll be a very happy man, let alone 83.
‘It takes 2 weeks to build the course so moments like this are the ones I cherish as it makes all the hard work worthwhile.
‘Be like Brian!’
Event participants chose between 7km and 14km with over 30 fun and filthy obstacles en route. Children between 15yrs-17yrs could take part with an accompanying adult.
Tony, an Area Manager at British Gas, who sponsored the event shares, ‘Everyone at British Gas felt very proud to be chosen to sponsor The Mud Pack Challenge 2023 and support The Hospice of St Francis. The Mud Pack was a fantastic event, great fun and extremely well organised and it was great to see the teamwork from all our colleagues taking part together to help raise money to support the local community, when it matters.
‘Most of us have never done anything like The Mud Pack Challenge before, but everyone really loved it and we can’t wait to support and take part again next year! Roll on Mud Pack 2024!’
Shannen from the Hospice Fundraising team says, ‘A HUGE thank you to all 550 troopers who rose to The Mud Pack Challenge on Sunday and got super muddy for The Hospice of St Francis. It was great to see you all getting stuck in and all your hard work has helped raise over £58,000! A massive thank you to our event sponsor, British Gas, and all the local businesses who supplied their time and materials to help make this event happen. We truly value all of your support!’
If you enjoyed the event as much as the Hospice did, save the date in your diary for next year – Sunday 13 October! See you there! #WeLoveYourSupport
For a list of upcoming events to get involved in beforehand, please visit the Hospice website: www.stfrancis.org.uk/support-us/events.