20th May 2022
Our London Office Manager Gareth Dobinson recently completed the 100 km Continuous Jurassic Coast Ultra Challenge to raise money for Child Bereavement UK. Through sponsorship, Gareth and his four friends raised a total of £1,817 for their chosen charity. Child Bereavement UK helps children and young people, as well as parents and families, to rebuild their lives when a child grieves or when a child dies. Child Bereavement UK also provides training to professionals, equipping them to provide the best possible care to bereaved families.
Left: Gareth smiling throughout his trek
Right: Gareth and his team walking through spectacular scenery
The challenge started at Corfe Castle and finished at Bridport - 100.4 km and over 2200 m of elevation (about a quarter of Mt Everest). The walk took place between 14th and 15th May and had to be done continuously—with checkpoints to rest and refuel, but no sleeping!
Gareth said, “The views were stunning, the weather started beautifully (until the thunderstorms came in the middle of the night) and the team of 6 of us were in good spirits. The route was brutal and some of the ascents were scary, especially the three consecutive 150 - 200m ascents.”
Despite injuring his knee at the 55 km mark, Gareth fought through the next 45 km to complete the challenge. Just to make sure participants earned their medals, the final 12 km involved a 4 km trek across a shingle beach and two more very steep ascents, but Gareth made it to the finish line!
“The feeling at the finish was amazing but to complete the event meant battering my body and I am feeling it today. I knew the challenge was difficult, but I never knew it would be that difficult. My wife was right when she said, ‘you will suffer and there will be pain’!”
Gareth also overcame the added complication of controlling his sugar levels, as he is Type 1 Diabetic. He says that as far as doing another challenge, he would say yes to 50km but probably not another 100km, though his training did get him through.
“What the event did show me is that hard work and planning can get you through the biggest of challenges and I will not forget that. The question now is what will the next challenge be?”
Hawkins wishes anyone undertaking a charitable challenge good weather, good health, and good results for their chosen organisation. We look forward to supporting more of our colleagues in events that benefit such worthy causes.
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