Buxton charity urges High Peak residents to get outside and join new fundraising campaign

Launched by the Thomas Theyer Foundation (TTF), the aim of the Spring into Action campaign is for people to set themselves their own challenge which must be completed by September. They pay £10 to enter and then can do additional fundraising as well and anyone who raises £100 or more will receive vouchers to spend in local shops.

The foundation’s fundraising coordinator Emily Manning said: “We wanted to create something all inclusive so everyone from young children to teenagers, families, friends and older people could all get involved in which is why we haven’t set out a particular challenge to complete.

"There are so many benefits to being outside and we live on the edge of the beautiful Peak District so with lockdown restrictions easing we want people to have some fun in the fresh air.

"Whether that’s walking up Solomon’s Temple every week or taking on a different hike across the hills every month, the limit of what you do is set only by you.”

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The charity was set up in memory of 18-year-old runner Thomas Theyer who had ADD and dyspraxia and who sadly died in 2013. The foundation is raising money to build a lodge at White Hall Education Centre to provide access to outdoor activities and respite accommodation for children and young people with additional needs.

Any money raised through the Spring Into Action campaign will also go towards the foundation’s new counselling service.

Emily said: “This is the first year of us doing a campaign like this but we’ve already had people signing up and setting themselves challenges to get outside more which is great.”

Those taking part will need to set a goal that they or a group will complete by the end of summer. Challenges can be any distance and can be walked, run, cycled, or even skydived but must be completed by September 21.

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It costs £10 per person to sign up and all entrants will receive a TTF Spring into Action Wristband and information email, including some of the foundation’s favourite circular walks in the Peak District. Each participant will also receive a certificate and a £5 gift voucher for the TTF shop in Buxton after they have completed their challenge.

If people decide to fundraise, as well as paying the sign up fee they will earn up to £100 in vouchers if they raise £1,000.

Emily said: “We thought it was important to promote our local shops after a difficult year and those who compete will also be entered into a raffle to win lots of lovely prizes too.

“We’re really looking forward to seeing what people do and how they take on the Spring Into Action challenge and we’d love to see your pictures on our social media as well.”

For anyone wanting to sign up to the Spring Into Action or for more information visit the charity’s website: https://thomastheyerfoundation.org.uk/challenge/.

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