A group of lecturers from Coleg Cambria’s Bersham Road campus in Wrexham has successfully completed the demanding Bigger Boat Challenge, raising over £1,200 for Dementia UK.
The 12-strong team embarked on a physically and mentally challenging quest that involved kayaking across Lake Vyrnwy and Bala Lake, followed by a 22-kilometre hike. They camped overnight in tough conditions, all in aid of raising funds and awareness for Dementia UK, a charity supporting people living with dementia and their families.
The challenge’s name, Bigger Boat, was a nod to the 1975 blockbuster movie Jaws, and the journey certainly tested the team’s resolve. According to Karl Jackson, Assistant Principal for the Institute of Technology at Coleg Cambria and Site Lead at Bersham Road, this challenge was the toughest yet. He said, “We’ve taken on some big adventures in the past, but this one was particularly gruelling. The weather was dreadful at the start, and the high winds made kayaking difficult, but we stuck together and kept morale high.”
The team’s perseverance paid off, and they successfully completed the challenge, with the money raised going to support Dementia UK’s Admiral Nurses. These specialist nurses provide free, expert advice, care, and emotional support to people living with dementia, as well as their families.
Joanna Sullivan, Head of Community Fundraising, Events, and Innovation at Dementia UK, expressed her gratitude. “Congratulations from everyone at Dementia UK to Karl and his colleagues for completing this incredible fundraising challenge. Their hard work and determination will make a real difference to families affected by dementia,” she said.
Sullivan highlighted the importance of fundraisers like the Coleg Cambria team, saying, “Living with dementia is exhausting, not just for the person diagnosed, but for their loved ones as well. With the support of fundraisers like Karl, we can ensure that no family faces dementia alone, and we can extend our support to even more families.”
This is the latest in a series of adventurous challenges taken on by Karl Jackson and his colleagues at Coleg Cambria. Previous feats have included completing the Skye is the Limit Challenge, the Welsh Three Peaks, and the Crazy 7 for Stepping Stones North Wales. They have also raised over £1,000 for the Menstrual Health Project (MHP) by completing the Cairngorm 4000s and survived a challenging, four-day Freezing Fingers expedition across Snowdonia’s Rhinogydd mountain range in harsh winter conditions.
Jackson said of the team’s dedication: “It’s all about pushing our limits for great causes. The Bigger Boat Challenge was certainly one of the toughest, but knowing that we were supporting Dementia UK made it all worthwhile.”
The £1,200 raised will go towards funding the vital services offered by Admiral Nurses, helping ensure that more families affected by dementia receive the professional care and support they need.
Coleg Cambria’s continued commitment to charitable fundraising demonstrates the power of teamwork and resilience, as well as the college’s deep connection to the local and wider community.
