A team from creative communications agency DRPG has completed a 200-mile charity challenge tracing the River Severn from its Welsh source to the Severn Bridge.
The four-day Source to Sea Challenge, held last week, marked the company’s 45th anniversary and aimed to raise £20,000 for four nominated charities.
Led by CEO Dale Parmenter and marketing and engagement lead Alex Cottom, the route began at the river’s origin in the Plynlimon mountains of Wales and concluded at the Severn Bridge, spanning terrain by foot, bike and kayak.
The Challengers faced adverse weather conditions and equipment issues, including persistent rain and multiple tyre punctures, adding to the logistical and physical demands of the journey.
Parmenter said: “So many moments pushed us to the edge, cycling through torrential rain, wrestling with a few punctures, and kayaking through currents we probably had no business attempting.”
He added: “But we kept going because this challenge was about what we can achieve when we come together and it really is what the 45th anniversary of DRPG is all about.”
He continued: “When we first came up with this idea it felt like it was a step too far. Our mantra is ‘anything is possible’ and this shows you can achieve anything and if you can achieve something and do something good its a win win situation.”
Team members from the rest of the group’s marketing team took on the role of support crew and through escorting the challengers along the route, they forged local knowledge and relationships, securing services of goodwill in bike shops, along with donations from B&Bs and passers-by across the four days.
The challenge was organised in support of four charity partners: Meeting Needs, Wheels for All, Creative Futures, and the Severn Rivers Trust. Each organisation was selected based on its work within inclusivity, creativity, environmental conservation, and support of the events industry.
Cottom said: “It’s been the most physically demanding thing I’ve ever done but the support from our team, the community and the charities has been incredible. We’re almost at our target and we’d love for the DRPG network, clients, partners and beyond to help us cross that monetary finish line by the time we celebrate our anniversary in June.”
At the end of the challenge, the initiative has raised nearly half of the £20,000 target, with the team continuing to appeal for further support ahead of the group’s anniversary milestone in June.
Parmenter said: “The support from the industry has been stunning, we’ve had so many texts, emails and donations over the last few days from competitors and I think that shows what a great community we have in the events industry.”
He added: “It’s great when something like this can pull an industry together, that we’re all working together, to try and help other people so that’s been touching, that we’re competitors but we sometimes do all work together.”
To donate and support the fundraising effort, visit: Support the Source to Sea Challenge with DRPG! – GiveWheel.
Donate and support the fundraising effort here.
