Guide Dogs team to hike, bike and kayak 24km

A group of six south Warwickshire supporters of the Guide Dogs charity are taking on a physical challenge covering 24km across a mountain, forest and lake to raise funds.
Guide Dogs fundraisers Sam Diggins, Chris Roberts, Kevin Fairhurst, Karl Diggins, Shauna Quinn and Vicky Bamford.Guide Dogs fundraisers Sam Diggins, Chris Roberts, Kevin Fairhurst, Karl Diggins, Shauna Quinn and Vicky Bamford.
Guide Dogs fundraisers Sam Diggins, Chris Roberts, Kevin Fairhurst, Karl Diggins, Shauna Quinn and Vicky Bamford.

The team - four of whom work for the Leamington-based national charity - will head to the Lake District in September and hike 10km to the summit of Old Man in Coniston, then cycle 12km through Grizedale Forest, followed by a 2km kayak across Coniston Water.

By taking on what is known as the Coniston Challenge, the group - who are Sam Diggins, Chris Roberts, Kevin Fairhurst, Karl Diggins, Shauna Quinn and Vicky Bamford - are aiming to raise at least £2,000.

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Chris, a guide dog trainer based at the centre in Warwick New Road, said: “We’re really looking forward to the event - it’s a beautiful area of the country and we can’t wait to do all the events with some good friends, enjoying the challenge and pushing ourselves to do as well as we can. This is all topped off by knowing the hard work we have done fundraising will help a charity we love.

“All of the team are connected to Guide Dogs in some way - we either work for the charity or have a family member who works for them. We all believe in Guide Dogs’ mission and their work across the UK and want to help out the charity as much as we can.”

Chris said he loves his job, as do the others in the group who work for Guide Dogs, adding: “It not only gives us the chance to work with dogs which we all love, but it also give us the knowledge that in some way we are giving people with a visual impairment the same freedom others enjoy on a daily basis.”

To help boost their fundraising, the team are hosting a series of fundraising events, starting with a charity evening at Zou Bisou in Regent Court, Leamington, on Thursday July 14 from 6pm to 10.30pm, where people can chat to them, receive information about the charity and meet a couple of guide dogs. Those who donate cash on the evening will receive a discount on drinks and cakes.

To find out more about Guide Dogs, visit www.guidedogs.org.uk