MN Trek Lake District Info V2.Indd

Trek the Lake District Information Pack

4-7 June 2015 Looking for a scenic adventure?

One of our most picturesque challenges, Trek the Lake District sees you conquer eight peaks in the Lake District all above 3,000 feet, including the highest mountain in England – Scafell Pike. The Lake District features 12 of the largest lakes in England and is the country’s largest national park, spanning 885 square miles.

The challenge

Our route is a total of around 31km/20miles split over two walking days, which accounts for a total walking time of approximately 18 hours. Between walking you will get plenty of opportunity to What do you need to do? rest and enjoy the trip. Whilst this challenge is not designed with specialist trekkers in mind and To take part in this unforgettable challenge all you need to do is pay a participants will vary in fitness levels, it presents £75 non-refundable registration fee and a real physical challenge and will require energy, raise the minimum sponsorship amount commitment and a positive attitude. of £600. In return for this, we’ll provide the accommodation, all of your meals, This challenge is suitable for people to transport between the peaks and the take part individually or in a group, so it’s the services of a fully qualified and very perfect opportunity to get friends, family or experienced safety team. colleagues involved.

And if that’s not enough, our friendly Events team will also be on hand to guide you through this huge personal challenge. From fundraising ideas to training tips, we promise to take care of all the practical arrangements for you, leaving you absolutely free to concentrate on walking, enjoying the breath-taking scenery and raising funds to help fight meningitis in the UK.

£600 can pay for 10 sessions of specialist physiotherapy

2 | Trek the Lake District Why support Meningitis Now?

We put people at the heart of everything we do. We exist to save lives and rebuild futures by funding research, raising awareness and supporting people affected by meningitis.

Did you know?

• Thirty people a day face the devastation of Meningitis in the UK*.

• Meningitis and septicaemia kill more UK children under-5 than any other infectious disease.

• Many are left with long-term after-effects such as deafness, brain damage and limb loss.

* Estimated annual average cases between 2000 and 2010 for all meningitis types.

DUNCAN Duncan and Alison’s daughter, Eleanor, fell AND critically ill with meningitis in 2010 at just ALISON’S STORY eight months old.

“I can still remember all too clearly the sense of horror I felt F ro when I found out Eleanor had been rushed to hospital. It all m

le happened so suddenly. ft t o rig ht Thankfully Eleanor survived but she will need to deal with : H ug h, P the effects of the disease for the rest of her life - she had to aul, Dunca mo have her right leg amputated below the knee as well as some n and Di fingers on her left hand. I really wanted to do something to fight back, so I decided to raise funds for Meningitis Now and help them support other people whose lives have been impacted by meningitis. I was looking for something challenging but also enjoyable. This challenge did not disappoint. I persuaded three great friends to join me and we spent a fantastic two days walking £800 some of England’s most famous hills. The support from the safety team was superb. They were able to take us along can pay for a specialist laptop routes we would never have dreamed of attempting on our computer and software for a own. Each evening we returned to the bunkhouse, tired but person left with severe after- effects, enabling them to live exhilarated. We had so much to talk about and plenty of more independently and prevent local beers to sample whilst we chatted.” isolation through communication.

3 | Trek the Lake District Itinerary

Thursday 4 June Total walking time 1700 Arrive at bunkhouse 18hrs approx 1830 Safety team brief 1930 Dinner Total height to climb 2030 Kit Check 24,856ft 2100 Free to explore Keswick or get an early night

Friday 5 June 0630 Breakfast 0800 Begin walk, including: What a view Skiddaw (3,054ft) Helvellyn (3,117ft) Helvellyn Lower Man (3,035ft) 1700 End walk 1930 Dinner

Saturday 6 June 0530 Breakfast 0630 Leave bunkhouse and travel to Wasdale 0800 Begin walk, including: Scafell (3,163ft) Symonds Knott (3,146ft) Scafell Pike (3,209ft) Broad Crag (3,064ft) Ill Crag (3,068ft) 1830 End walk 2000 Dinner and presentation

Sunday 7 June 0800 Breakfast 0900 Team photos 0945 Free to explore Keswick or travel home

4 | Trek the Lake District We are here to help you - FAQs

Am I fit enough? The weather in the mountains changes rapidly and can be unpredictable, so you need to come To climb eight peaks in two days you need stamina, equipped for all conditions - a waterproof jacket mental attitude, energy and determination. The and over trousers, warm layers, a hat, gloves and challenge is an intense two days of exercise, so we sun protection are all essential. recommend that anyone taking part – no matter how fit you already are - spends some time training Will I have to carry my kit? beforehand. With the appropriate preparation, Your kit should be divided between two bags; a anyone can complete the challenge successfully. 25 - 30 litre rucksack that you will take with you on each walking day and a second bag containing What is included in the cost of the challenge? spare clothing, food etc, which you can leave at the • 3 x light breakfasts (Friday, Saturday and bunkhouse. The weather conditions can change Sunday morning) quickly and dramatically on the peaks, so you will • Packed lunches on Friday and Saturday need to be prepared for every eventuality. (the walking days) What if I get an injury on the mountains? • 3 x evening meals (Thursday, Friday Your safety team leader will be first aid qualified and Saturday) and will carry the appropriate safety kit for this activity. The leader’s primary role is to ensure your • Accommodation at a local bunkhouse Thursday, safety, but it is your responsibility to listen to their Friday and Saturday night guidance and instructions. • The support of a fully-qualified safety team What kind of support is there for me? What do I need to provide? Our Events team will be supporting you in the • £75 non-refundable registration fee and pledge run up to the challenge, offering practical advice to raise at least £600 in sponsorship to prepare you for the trek and fundraising tips and ideas. • Travel to/from the Lake District During the challenge a fully-qualified safety team • Your own kit will accompany the group. The safety team are experienced mountaineers. There will be a member • Personal travel insurance at your discretion of the safety team at the front of the group and (see Terms & Conditions of Entry for details) another at the back. There will also be a support • Money to pay for extra food, drink or souvenirs vehicle stationed at the foot of each mountain in during the weekend case anyone should need to come down from the mountains early or is unable to complete the trek. Where do we stay? The safety team will be only too happy to answer At a comfortable bunkhouse in Keswick (single sex questions, address any concerns you may have and bunk rooms). Bedding is provided by the bunkhouse provide advice throughout the challenge. but you will need to bring your own towel. Do I need specialist kit? The most important item of kit is a good pair of sturdy, well broken in walking boots. If you are buying new boots for the challenge, you MUST break them in well beforehand or you will suffer! £1,000 can provide vital laboratory equipment 5 | Trek the Lake District for our researchers. We are here to help you - FAQs

How will I raise £600 minimum sponsorship? It is ok to feel a little anxious about raising this amount, but do not worry, once you start, fundraising has a habit of gathering speed and most people are usually pleasantly surprised at people’s generosity. Fundraising can be fun too! There are many ways to raise money: through your family, friends and colleagues, by organising fundraisers, or by asking How do I sign up? companies and businesses to support you. You may have to do more than ask for names on sponsor Simply fill in and send back the forms, but do not worry, we will provide you with registration form along with your £75 detailed fundraising advice and materials. registration fee, or visit What happens if I can’t raise the www.meningitisnow.org/trek pledged amount? to sign up online. You need to think carefully about how you will raise the amount. Your signed pledge is a commitment to raise the money. There are many costs involved in running the event and, as a charity, we need to ensure we not only raise as much as possible for those we support, but also cover costs. Remember, we are here to help and won’t leave you on your own. Whether you need fundraising advice or experience unforeseen difficulties, please let us know. We suggest that it is often easier to raise sponsorship online through Just Giving or Virgin Money Giving. This means you can email the page to lots of people and don’t have to collect cash as sponsors donate by credit or debit card.

Smile for the camera

6 | Trek the Lake District saving lives, rebuilding futures

We hope to welcome you to our team! Find out more today:

0345 120 4530 [email protected]