7 locals from Balsall Common nearing finish line of 4 year virtual challenge around the globe
They've travelled more than 25,000 miles for charity.
A group of seven charity volunteers from Balsall Common are nearing the finish line of a gruelling ‘round the world’ fundraising challenge which has seen them cover 24,901 miles over four years – the same distance as the circumference of the globe.
The team, aged 42-80 years old, began their epic adventure in 2020 with the aim of raising vital funds for Save the Children.
Over the past four years, the group, who met through volunteering for the international children’s charity, have walked, run, cycled, swum, skied and even completed three miles in a coracle, in order to achieve their goal.
On 10th February the fundraisers will be completing the final mile of their virtual journey together through Balsall Common, near Kenilworth in Solihull, finishing with a special celebration with their proud friends and families.
The dedicated volunteers initially set off with the aim to 'walk to Syria', but after completing that challenge and 'arriving' in Syria, they decided to increase their journey’s end-goal.
In 2022, they collectively covered enough miles in the UK to see them virtually 'arrive' in Auckland, New Zealand.
They then carried on via Samoa, Belize City, Miami, Columbia, New York, Nuuk (Greenland), Reykjavik and Torshavn (Faroe Islands), before finishing back to the UK.
Over the four years, the group of volunteers have experienced the global pandemic, wild weather - and even the birth of a baby.
So far, the fundraising group have raised over £3,500 but are aiming to reach £5,000 to help children in the UK and around the world have a brighter future.
Nigel Briggs who is taking part in the challenge said:
“After four years we can’t quite believe our challenge to virtually travel the globe is coming to an end and we are so excited to be on the home straight, finishing where it all started, in Balsall Common.
"The purpose of this was to have fun, keep fit but most importantly raise as much money for Save the Children as possible!
"The struggles and disasters we see on the news every day have kept us motivated when the challenge has felt impossible at times.
"We are aiming to raise £5,000 so please do help us reach it if you can, and if you are free on the 10th of February do join in and cheer us over the finish line!”
Fidelma Meehan, Community Fundraising & Engagement Manager, Save the Children UK said:
“We are incredibly grateful to the group from Balsall Common for taking on such a big challenge to raise funds for Save the Children.
"Their determination and commitment to raising funds for children who need our support the most, means we can carry out life changing work for children across the globe.
"We look forward to cheering them on as they cross the common for their 24,901st mile!”