Challenge Adventure Charities was formed in 1996 developing the charity cycling challenge concept. Since then, events have been held every year.
Each year, two events occur. The first is an individual challenge, held in the summer, involving approximately 50 riders covering 500 - 600 miles over 7 days. The second event, held in the autumn, consists of teams of four cyclists who cycle in relay over 500 miles in three days.
Both have the objective of raising as much money as possible for charities chosen by the Trustees and the event participants. The routes are always challenging, yet achievable by ordinary cyclists with sensible preparation, and invariably take riders through beautiful countryside and lovely villages with vineyards and the odd mountain thrown in for good measure.
The combination of camaraderie, marvellous routes, a real challenge and sense of adventure whilst raising serious amounts of money for good causes has created a spirit to the challenge which has proved durable over the years.
Our history
Since inception the Challenges have raised around £4.45M for all the worthy causes supported throughout the years. The biggest event was the Ultimate Challenge involving 115 teams and 460 people, which raised £379,412.
After so many successful team events, it was decided to start a new style of challenge so in 2007 the summer Challenge began, with nearly fifty riders cycling for a week in May around the coast and the up the mountainous centre of Corsica. Since then there has been a summer Challenge each year and in 2018 this will involve 60 riders and marshals visiting the Pyrenees in early June.
Challenge Adventure Charities was also responsible for starting the IT Regatta in the 90s which has now become The Silicon Cup.
Sponsors + charities
CAC is a voluntary organisation and one important objective of the trustees is to distribute 100% of individual sponsorship to charity with no deduction to pay for event costs. Every penny raised goes to charity and this continues to be our aim.
Each year there are main event sponsors who subsidise the costs of the organisation to enable individuals to pay a reasonable entry fee to cover the costs of travel and accommodation etc. The trustees select mainly national charities to benefit from the collective fund raising and individuals can select their own charity for 50% of their sponsorship in the events.
Registered charity
Challenge Adventure Charities is a registered charity (number 1057920) with the prime objective of raising money for other charitable causes nominated by participants in our events. It is a limited company (by guarantee) (number 3211438) and has a board of two directors who act as trustees: Chris Saltrick and Stuart Mason-Elliott who are responsible for the general administration of the organisation. As such it is subject to the usual reporting requirements of companies and also to the Charities Commission.
