Cancelled Arctic challenge spurs on charity workers to raise thousands in 5,144-mile fundraiser

WHEN a charity’s mammoth Arctic mission was cancelled, 30 people worked together to cycle or run 5,144 miles to raise funds instead.
Belinda Dickins
By Belinda Dickins
Published 18th Jun 2020, 16:24 BST
Updated 19th Jun 2020, 09:59 BST
Three men from Whiteley charity the Eight Foundation were due to take on an Arctic challenge which was cancelled due to Covid-19, so they completed a To Baffin Island and Back challenge to raise £5,000. Pictured: Ian Riggs, Stuart Brown and Matt RiggsThree men from Whiteley charity the Eight Foundation were due to take on an Arctic challenge which was cancelled due to Covid-19, so they completed a To Baffin Island and Back challenge to raise £5,000. Pictured: Ian Riggs, Stuart Brown and Matt Riggs
Three men from Whiteley charity the Eight Foundation were due to take on an Arctic challenge which was cancelled due to Covid-19, so they completed a To Baffin Island and Back challenge to raise £5,000. Pictured: Ian Riggs, Stuart Brown and Matt Riggs

Ian Riggs, Matt Riggs and Stuart Brown from Whiteley-based charity the Eight Foundation were due to take on a huge challenge in April, trekking 140 miles across Baffin Island in temperatures of minus 40 degrees and carrying 85kg of kit.

However, when the Covid-19 situation saw this fundraiser cancelled, the trio didn’t want all their hard work to go to waste.

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They got together a team of 30 colleagues from the charity and Eight Wealth Management to cycle or run 5,144 miles in 13 days - the distance from Fareham to Baffin Island and back.

Three men from Whiteley charity the Eight Foundation were due to take on an Arctic challenge which was cancelled due to Covid-19, so they completed a To Baffin Island and Back challenge to raise £5,000. Pictured: Ian RiggsThree men from Whiteley charity the Eight Foundation were due to take on an Arctic challenge which was cancelled due to Covid-19, so they completed a To Baffin Island and Back challenge to raise £5,000. Pictured: Ian Riggs
Three men from Whiteley charity the Eight Foundation were due to take on an Arctic challenge which was cancelled due to Covid-19, so they completed a To Baffin Island and Back challenge to raise £5,000. Pictured: Ian Riggs

Chairman of trustees Ian said: ‘I was 100 per cent gutted when the challenge was cancelled but of course me and the boys were not surprised.

‘However, we aren’t ones to admit defeat, we wanted the foundation to be able to continue supporting those in need throughout this pandemic so taking on this challenge enabled us to do so.’

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The team had a target of 400 miles per day to raise funds for the foundation supporting small charities and individuals, and they managed to raise £5,347 for Solent Mind and Stop Domestic Abuse.

Three men from Whiteley charity the Eight Foundation were due to take on an Arctic challenge which was cancelled due to Covid-19, so they completed a To Baffin Island and Back challenge to raise £5,000. Pictured: Matt Riggs and Stuart BrownThree men from Whiteley charity the Eight Foundation were due to take on an Arctic challenge which was cancelled due to Covid-19, so they completed a To Baffin Island and Back challenge to raise £5,000. Pictured: Matt Riggs and Stuart Brown
Three men from Whiteley charity the Eight Foundation were due to take on an Arctic challenge which was cancelled due to Covid-19, so they completed a To Baffin Island and Back challenge to raise £5,000. Pictured: Matt Riggs and Stuart Brown
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Victoria Riggs, foundation manager, said: ‘We felt these two charities would most certainly be feeling the impact of Covid-19.

‘I am so very proud of everyone for taking on this challenge and allowing us to continue supporting those who need us.’

Solent Mind is going to put the funds toward the running of its Upturn project which supports young people’s mental health and education, while Stop Domestic Abuse is going to use the funds to purchase educational equipment for the children in local refuges.

‘It was a real distraction from the negativity and worry that had been going on with Covid-19 and I’m chuffed to bits with the amount we raised for two amazing local charities.’ said Matt.

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Stuart added: ‘It kept us all focused and to be able to be part of such a great challenge for two very worthy local causes was enough to keep us hitting that daily target.’

Visit eightfoundation.co.uk for more information.

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