Preparing for the ITERA-lite Adventure Race In Wales: A journey of Endurance and Charity
In July 2024 our funeral home manager, Christine completed a 300km Adventure race in Wales with her dad, his partner and her uncle. We are proud to say that Christine raised £845 for SSAFA.
SSAFA, the armed forces charity, have helped a number of our families, and we have seen first hand the amazing work they do. It is what has inspired us to raise money to enable them to support many more families.
More information about
the Armed Forces charity: SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity, has been providing lifelong support to our Forces and their families since 1885. Every year, thanks to the donations, grants and legacies we received, we helped more than 85,000 people in need, from second World War veterans to young men and women who have served in more recent conflicts.
SSAFA understands that behind every uniform is a person, and we are here for that person – whenever and wherever they need our help.
Thank you so much for making a difference.
Last year we saw the impact SSAFA has on people first hand as they helped one of our families. Here’s what they had to say;
‘Ssafa is a wonderful, charity for ex service personnel who will always try and help out families. We had help as a family once when we found ourselves in debt, then again recently when I lost my partner of 20 years who was in the navy. I approached ssafa and they helped me and my family, they paid for the funeral so my partner got the send off he deserved. They have also sent us food vouchers and contacted the royal bereavement fund, who have given me a donation too which I will use to help me and my boys with the grieving process.’
What is adventure racing?
Adventure racing, also known as expedition racing, is a thrilling and multidisciplinary team sport that takes participants on wild journeys across unmarked wilderness courses. These races can range from a mere two hours to an epic two weeks in duration. While some events allow solo competitors, the heart of adventure racing lies in teams working together to conquer physical, mental, and navigational challenges.
- Diverse Disciplines: Racers engage in a mix of activities, including trail running, mountain biking, paddling, and more. The unpredictable terrain demands adaptability and skill across various disciplines.
- Hidden Courses: Unlike traditional races with predefined routes, adventure racing courses remain secret until race time. Competitors must navigate to checkpoints, testing their map-reading abilities and decision-making under pressure.
- Endurance and Camaraderie: Whether scaling mountains, kayaking through rivers, or cycling rugged trails, adventure racers rely on their own strength and teamwork. The camaraderie forged during these grueling challenges is as vital as physical prowess.
In essence, adventure racing is a scavenger hunt against the clock, where the thrill lies in the unknown, the wild, and the shared pursuit of conquering the untamed.
Race for Life
Our Funeral Arranger Elle took part in the Race for Life this year, and raised £365 for Cancer Research UK.
Other involvement
We work closely in our community with a number of charities.
Including the East Kent Baby Memorial Gardens, who we partnered with to help run an event for Baby Loss Awareness Week in 2024. EKBMGG supports families who have suffered miscarriage, stillbirth, neonatal death or any other kind of loss. They created a beautiful, calm space in the Ashford memorial gardens, where families can have name plaques to remember their babies.
Home | East Kent Baby Memorial Gardens
We often attend the Ashford and Tenterden Umbrella. They are a brilliant, local charity who provide a welcoming and safe space for all in central Ashford, and to provide social support to those who may find themselves in vulnerable situations.
These could include mental health struggles, loneliness, bereavement, redundancy, physical ailments or learning disabilities.
Ashford & Tenterden Umbrella | Helping Our Local Community
We are also Dementia Friends. We might see you at an AGE UK Dementia choir session in Stanhope!
What Is ITERA-lite?
Date: July 26th – 29th, 2024
Location: Dolgellau, North Wales
Duration: 2-3 days of non-stop multisport action
Distance: Approximately 300 kilometers
Disciplines: Trekking, mountain biking, kayaking, navigation, and special stages
Winning Time: Anticipated to be around 48 hours
Team Composition: Teams of 4 (competitive teams must include at least one female and one male member) and pairs
Navigation: Good navigation skills are essential
Attitude: Expect the unexpected—this is an adventure!
Note: SSAFA continues to organise incredible challenges. Whether it’s the South West Coastal Path, a European driving adventure, or a local walk, join team SSAFA and be part of something extraordinary.
