The Beast of Ben team adventure challenge

I'm sat here reflecting on something that Aspire Adventures (supported by amazing local businesses) delivered last week and wanted to share some of what happened with you all.

You may have seen stuff on social media platforms and for the diligent amongst you, you'll see it was called The Beast of Ben and delivered for the Ben Automotive Industry Charity.

Matt Wigginton (total legend and Director of Fundraising) and I floated the idea of this probably a few years ago. The idea of adventure based fundraising for charity isn't innovative. However, sticking an event in a remote location with the teams competing against each other across activities, pre-event tasks and other stuff, is. Certainly the remote area aspect and only accessibly by 4x4, quad bike, foot, tractor etc.

This was to be teams of 4 from organisations across the Automotive sector who were to raise money for Ben Auto. Pretty cool, eh?!

The principles were -

1. Raise a load of money for charity
2. Make it incredible
3. Keep people safe
4. Have a tonne of fun
5. Build a platform for delivering lots of these events

I found an incredible location that was perfect. I took Matt and Sarah Hughes to the location and tried to paint picture. A tent village, marquee, mountains, river, people laughing and joking etc. and I even backed up the vision with a mock up (below!).

This was also to be points based so there could be a winner, with a trophy, and then each year they could either look to retain or others look to win. Points were based on six activities which were an abseil challenge, water challenge, mental agility, vertical kilometre timed ascent, a 'pub' quiz plus social media activity.

Here's how the flow worked...

Wednesday PM teams arrived to a pre-defined car park and were greeted and given a sketch map to get to the venue (the Belly of the Beast) and they had to walk on foot. At the venue there was a marquee, tents, sound, toilets set up and the teams arrived as one team and then had to register. They got their maps, compass, goodie bag, water container and then could settle in.

Weds PM catering brought dinner in and then we got stuck in to the welcome and brief followed by teams planning their next day, the adventure day, to maximise the available points.

Thursday AM there were staggered breakfast and start times and the teams headed off to complete their challenges. Packed lunches were made available at a location in the nearby village.

Teams finished at a variety of times and some even cooled off in the river! Dinner was served and then it was time for the 'pub' quiz and then after, people went back to their tents as teams and have well deserved drinks.

Friday AM was breakfast and then prize giving with congratulations to JCT600. The inaugural Beast of Ben was finished and teams walked back to their vehicles.

Clear down took a few days with us being really careful about the environmental impact and rubbish recycling.

It was EPIC on all levels.

This time last week the teams were all of completing their challenges and I still can't stop smiling. The social media posts after, messages and more were all so positive.

Of course this was about fundraising for this wonderful charity but there are so many other benefits -

1. Improved self-esteem
2. Networking with peers
3. Making new friends
4. Improved wellbeing
5. Team togetherness
6. Amazing memories

...and more!

So, there are two purposes behind this LinkedIn article...

1. To showcase this amazing event and thank the team at Ben Automotive Industry Charity for believing in the Aspire Adventures vision.
2. To tell you all about what can be done. This event was 29 teams from numerous organisations in the Automotive industry. It can be replicated as a principle for large businesses and other charities and then tweaked according to goals, location and aspirations.

For the last part, just drop an email to [email protected] or DM me.

Oh, while I'm here, why not make a donation? The winning team was from JCT600 so I've grabbed a link from one of their team and every penny and pound goes to helping someone who really needs help -

DONATE NOW

Speak soon,

Jason

PS - CLICK HERE to follow the Ben Automotive Industry Charity on LinkedIn because if you're in the Auto industry, or used to work there, you'll want to connect up.