Day of trials and challenges raises thousands

Business bosses stepped out of the boardroom and into a world of creepy crawlies and stomach churning snacks to raise £13,000 for our Hospice.

The brave bunch, who all hold key positions at businesses in West Suffolk and Thetford, took up the gauntlet when they took part in St Nicholas Hospice Care’s I’m a CEO . . . Get Me Out of Here!

This is the second time we have held the gruesome day of challenges with this year’s fun taking place at Nowton Park, Bury St Edmunds.

It saw 12 chief executives and managing directors tackle a range of bush-craft themed trials, including building a shelter, starting a camp fire and chopping logs.

Other challenges the group had to face included guess the animal test as well as a specially prepared four-course meal of grim delicacies.

Each participant was asked to raise £1,000 to take part, with the total currently raised standing at £13,000.

It was a close fought competition but Alex Till, Chief Executive of Menta, was crowned overall winner and ‘King of the Jungle’ at the end of the day.

He said: “It has been a really fantastic day and I have really enjoyed it – some bits more than others but it has been fun. What I think has really made it has been the group of people, there has been a great sense of team work and a lot of energy.

“Some of the challenges were more enjoyable than others – the eating challenges were not pleasant.

“It is a bit different to a day in the office but I love getting out and taking part in challenges and challenging myself so this has been perfect.”

Alex was presented with his crown by world champion javelin thrower, and former ‘I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here! contestant Fatima Whitbread.

Fatima said: “Coming along has really been like a trip down memory lane for me. Congratulations to everyone who took part to raise a tremendous £13,000 for such a good cause.

“There really isn’t anything you can do to prepare yourself for these sorts of challenges, you just have to get on with it and I have a lot of respect for everyone as they have all done that.”

Craig Leonard, Depot Manager at Bury’s Biffa Waste Services, was also named the competition’s top fundraiser.

With a £1,000 boost from Biffa Craig managed to raise an impressive £1,525 and as a reward for his efforts Craig was presented with a weekend stay at Ravenwood Hall Hotel.

Craig said: “I have genuinely really enjoyed it. I have had a lot of fun, the eating challenges were not for me but it really has been a great day, and I have met some great people.

“I chose to take part to help raise funds in memory of my father, he went through the Hospice in his final days and they took amazing care of him so anything I can do to help I will.”

Throughout the event, which was sponsored by Carrs of Bury St Edmunds, the intrepid fundraisers had their physical skill and mental grit put to the test whilst earning as many stars as they could.

Elaine Carr, owner of Flip Flop Marketing, decided to take up the challenge after she was asked by colleagues.

“It’s been really good and I am glad I came along. I really enjoyed all of the bush craft challenges although I did get a bit frustrated when I couldn’t make a fire,” said Elaine.

With their blindfolds in place to group were asked to hold and identify an Australian bearded dragon, corn snake and very friendly rat named George, as part of the guess the animal challenge and with answers ranging from a Lemur to a monkey it proved not to be as easy as it looked.

 

I thought taking part would be a great way to get involved in something different. I am not a marathon runner but I wanted to do something that would challenge me and this certainly has.

During the afternoon the hunt for starts continued as participants, again blindfolded hunted around pots of worms and maggots in a bid to boost their star total.

In the eating challenge, participants were presented with pig’s eyes, ears, snout and brains and asked to eat them to score points.