It’s come a long way from the 20 or so participants we had in 2010 to almost 200 in 2018. I remember chatting with fellow team members Kate and Helen in the pub one evening in early 2010 about holding a sponsored walk down the Templer Way as ‘a bit of an experiment’. Little did we realise back them how much it would grow in popularity and become such a flagship fundraising event for the rescue team. Feedback from our participants say it's down to a few key things; they feel it is a great route, it’s a for a good cause, team members are friendly, and they are kept well informed through team member Alan Pewsey’s fabulous use of web and social media.
By March this year Alan’s social media marketing campaign had been picking up a pace and we were hopeful of around 200 participants. We were aiming to raise around £6,000, a big sum and a large proportion of the running costs the rescue team needs to raise each year to remain operational. In early April I dusted off the plans we had used in previous years and Alan, Kate and I discussed improvements we could make for this year’s event. A week before the event the web registration was closed, participant data collated, final checks done and plans completed.
The morning of the Templer Way Challenge 2018 dawned with fog and rain on Dartmoor. We were hopeful that the forecast of some sunny spells later in the afternoon would be true as by then walk was due to reach Shaldon. Despite the weather the start was a hive of activity; participants were registering, our team members were arriving, and equipment was being issued. After the pre-start brief to our team members it was onto thanking our participants for turning up on what was a very wet and misty day. We then struck off from the Haytor Car Park into the thick fog towards the start of the Templer Way tramway. After a quick countdown and we were off, no more planning, no more paperwork just the event to play itself out.
In what seemed like no time we were in Shaldon and as the number of smiling finishers gradually grew I knew that we were going to have another successful event and I could start to relax. When we greeted the last participant and presented them with their medal I felt a growing sense of pride in what the volunteers of Dartmoor Search and Rescue Ashburton had achieved in running such a marvelous event.
We now know that the event raised over £7,000 and we already have many participants asking when the event will be next year. Team member Neil officially takes over the organisation of the event in 2019 when I’m sure it will be even more successful. As for me, in 2019, I plan to take part in the event as a participant and skip hand in hand down the route with my wife, something I’ve been promising her since 2010
Craig Scollick
Dartmoor Search and Rescue Ashburton
April 2015 and 95 walkers enjoy the 5th annual 18 mile sponsored Templer Way Challenge in aid of Dartmoor Search and Rescue Ashburton.
A beautiful day for the walk that starts at Haytor Quarry in Dartmoor National Park and follows the historic Templer Way trail to the sea at Shaldon. The good news is it’s predominantly downhill!
Thanks to all who took part and helped to raise £4,659.38 for team funds. Especially important this year as our Incident Control Vehicle has a major rust problem that means it is uneconomic to repair. Hence we need to find an additional £20,000 before the end of the year to fund a replacement vehicle and fit it out with the computer and radio equipment to help us manage search and rescue operations.
An appeal has been launched and you can contribute at the following Virgin Money Giving link.
http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/fund/dart02
Local rescuers Dartmoor Search and Rescue Ashburton are gaining a reputation for putting together well run and enjoyable events. Its 8th Templer Way Challenge fundraising event proved as popular as ever on Sunday despite the weather doing its best to dampen the spirits.
Sold out yet again, 180 participants braved the wet and foggy weather at Haytor early on Sunday morning to take part in the 18 mile sponsored walk to Shaldon walking the historic and beautiful Templer Way Trail.
Raising money for the rescue charity that relies on public donation for over 90% of its income, the participants have so far raised over £6,000 from this year’s event helping the volunteers assist those in need not just on Dartmoor but across Devon.
Event Director Craig Scollick said: “Every year we are humbled by our local community who support the team rain or shine and raise vital funds walking 18 miles from moor to sea helping us to save lives.”
“We can’t thank them enough and despite the poor weather forecast, they turned out yet again. with good humour and, from the feedback we’ve had so far, thoroughly enjoyed the day and are already looking forward to next year’s event.”
Fundraising Officer Al Pewsey added “We rely on the generosity of the public and local businesses to keep our service running through donation and sponsorship. This year, apart from all the participants, we’d very much like to thank Moorgate Vets who yet again took part and sponsored the production of our event map”
“Without our amazing supporters, the team would fold it’s as simple as that. This would leave a huge gap in resources available to not just rescue outdoor enthusiasts on Dartmoor but also vulnerable people across Devon such as those with mental health problems including dementia
“We try very hard to make the event as inclusive as possible to young and old. It’s not a race but very much aimed at participants to challenge themselves in completing the distance. A special mention must go to Trisha who was our oldest participant this year who finished the event and gained her medal at the amazing age of 80 despite the weather! I spoke to her at the finish and she was very complimentary and really enjoyed it”
The team is already planning for next year’s Templer Way Challenge and would very much like to hear from any local businesses who would like the opportunity to be headline sponsors for the 2019 event. Get in touch via their website www.dsrtashburton.org.uk.
Sunday April 19th 2015 sees Dartmoor Search and Rescue Team Ashburton running its popular Templer Way sponsored walk fundraiser.
The event now in its 5th year is becoming increasingly popular as participants walk the 18 miles from Haytor Quarry to Shaldon along the historic Templer Way to raise funds for the search and rescue volunteers. The team is called out 30-40 times a year to search for the lost, missing, injured and vulnerable not just on Dartmoor but across Devon in all weathers anytime of day or night. The team of volunteers need around £15,000 of donations from the public to remain operational each year and receives no central funding from Government.
Al Pewsey the team’s Fundraising Officer said ‘Last year’s event raised over £5,000 for team funds, way beyond our most optimistic expectations. It’s a fabulous route that takes in spectacular scenery on its way from moor to sea, and we see a number of familiar faces who come back each year to enjoy it with us. Our volunteers accompany the walkers providing a great opportunity to find out more about the frequently life saving service we provide and the working of a search and rescue team whilst enjoying a fabulous walk.’
Al went on to say ‘ We are very grateful and humbled by the public support we get and we hope this year’s event will be just as successful as last year’s.’
Our Templer Way Challenge has received a £500 kickstart from minerals firm Sibelco.
On Sunday April 19 up to 150 people are expected to tackle the 18-mile Templer Way from Haytor Rocks to the mouth of the River Teign. Starting at 9am participants should reach The Green, Shaldon, some five – seven hours later.
Money donated by sponsors and well-wishers will help generate the £15,000 it costs each year to keep the 24-hour team of voluntary emergency responders on the road. Alan Pewsey, fundraising officer for the team, said: ‘Our Templer Way Challenge is now in its fifth year and we are delighted that Sibelco has kindly given this important fundraising event a boost with a £500 donation. We rely on businesses and the public to fund the lifesaving work we do as around 92 per cent of our annual operational costs comes from donations. Sibelco’s generosity has really kicked off this years event in the best way possible and we are very grateful to them for this wonderful support.’
The 18-mile Templer Way passes close to some of Sibelco’s south Devon clay sites. The firm’s director of Kingsteignton operations, Richard Giles, said: ‘When we heard about the Templer Way Challenge it just felt like the right thing to lend it our support. We try to help the community when and where we can and as a firm that puts safety above all other considerations the activities of the Dartmoor Search and Rescue Team seemed a perfect fit. The members are all volunteers and on top of their search and rescue work they have to find time to raise most of their income too, hats off to them. The group carries out missions across south Devon, not just Dartmoor as many people seem to think, and if our involvement can help in any way to raise awareness of that it would be great, we’ll certainly spread the word. We wish all those who take part in the challenge the best of luck and hope the day generates some serious income, please give generously.’
A BOVEY TRACEY firm has delighted members of Dartmoor Search and Rescue Team Ashburton by becoming headline sponsors for the charity’s 2016 Templer Way Challenge.
The deal could result in as much as £5,000 from Plastic Surgeon Fine Finishers with management pledging to match funds raised by staff who undertake the 18-mile sponsored walk on sunday April 24.
That amount could make serious inroads into the £20,000 it takes to keep the lifesaving volunteers able to respond to the 35 or so shouts they receive each year.
Last Christmas their expertise was even called for in Yorkshire when floods devastated a number of communities.
‘Plastic Surgeon have given the 2016 Templer Way Challenge a real kick start and we’re extremely grateful for their support,’ said team fundraising officer Alan Pewsey.
‘Now we’re looking forward to the event, our sixth, with great anticipation and hoping to attract plenty of walkers who will have a great day with us.
‘Everyone will set off from Haytor Quarry and make their way to Shaldon, and the best bit is it’s all down hill!’
‘We usually have about 100 people take part and we’re hopeful we can do that again this year. Registering for the event is via our website at dsrtashburton.org.uk/templerway We’d also like to hear from other businesses if they’d like to follow Plastic Surgeon’s lead and become corporate sponsors, we really do appreciate the help.’
Plastic Surgeon is based in Bovey Tracey but has seven regional centres across the country and employs almost 200 staff.
It specialises in surface repairs to materials such as metal, plastic and render. Customers include major housebuilders, insurance firms and private householders.
Managing Director Rob Mouser said: ‘There are two reasons we’ve chosen to support Dartmoor Search and Rescue Ashburton, one is that they’re local and relevant to people here and the other is that we always do things which encourage teamwork among our staff.
‘I’m not sure yet how many colleagues will be taking part but we’re aiming for 20. I’ve done the walk before as have some others but this will be the first time as a company that we’ve sponsored it.
‘It promises to be a great day.’
An 18-mile sponsored walk has seen over £11,000 raised for Dartmoor Search and Rescue, as 150 people walked from the Haytor Information Centre in Dartmoor National Park to Shaldon on the Devon coast.
The walk was aimed at raising funds for the Dartmoor Search and Rescue team based at Ashburton, a voluntary organisation and registered charity, which relies on fundraising to keep its team fully equipped and prepared to deal with the many emergencies it attends each year.
Craig Scollick of Dartmoor Search and Rescue Ashburton said: “This event is very important to the team remaining operational as it is our largest fundraiser of the year, raising around a third of our annual running costs. We get called around 30 times a year to help those in need, not just on the moor, but the lost, missing, injured and vulnerable across Devon and sometimes further afield to major incidents like the recent floods at York. We rely on public donation for over 90% of our funding, so everybody who has taken part or supported this year’s event has effectively helped to save lives.”
He continued: ‘The event has become more and more popular with numbers increasing each year to walk the historic trail. We see lots of familiar faces returning as well as plenty of new faces too. Word seems to get around as to what an enjoyable walk it is and with the added attraction of having the support of team members walking the route and providing safety cover, it gives members of the public a great opportunity to not just enjoy a fabulous walk, but find out more about the life saving work we do by talking to team members along the way”
Bovey Tracey’s Mayor Ulli Arnold set the walkers on their way for the event, which is now in its 6th year.
The main sponsor of this year’s event was Plastic Surgeon, a nationwide surface repair specialist with headquarters in Bovey Tracey. The team at Plastic Surgeon contributed £5,358 of the £10,000 total with the staff raising funds that the firm then topped up to add to the total.
Team Fundraising Officer Alan Pewsey of Dartmoor Search and Rescue said: “We are very grateful to the team at Plastic Surgeon who have played a huge part in the success of this year’s event. Their enthusiasm has been infectious with the event being the most successful fundraising event we’ve ever put on, raising almost £10,000 so far with more donations expected to come in. We loved having them involved and we are very grateful for all their fantastic support.”
Rob Mouser, Managing Director of Plastic Surgeon said: “Dartmoor Search and Rescue Ashburton do a terrific job and often under very difficult circumstances. It’s important that they get the right funding to carry out their work and we’re absolutely delighted to be helping them. It’s a really worthwhile cause and we’re proud to be involved.”
Alan Pewsey concluded: “We’d like to extend a very big thank you to all the participants, their supporters, team members, Plastic Surgeon and Sibelco who have also sponsored the event again this year. Early feedback we have had from participants and team members alike is that they thoroughly enjoyed the day and we will definitely be looking to run the event again in April 2017.”
For more information on Plastic Surgeon, please visit http://www.plastic-surgeon.co.uk/
Photo album of the event