Wide Horizons Housing Challenge

Wide Horizons is a charity that believes every child should have the opportunity to experience Adventure Learning as part of their education and throughout their lives.

To help make this happen they provide Adventure Learning courses and activities to disadvantaged children in the UK to help them feel good and learn better. In 2014, the Axis painting division supported Wide Horizons by redecorating The ‘Wilko’ Dormitory at Wide Horizons’ Margaret McMillan House. Joe Ibrahim, Painting and Projects Managing Director, said: “We really enjoyed working as a team to help such a fantastic organisation last year so when we heard about the challenge we were eager to take part!”

The Housing Challenge is a team-building challenge for the whole social housing sector. In teams of 2-4, participants have to cover 50km on bike, foot and zip wire – it is not a competition but you are all required to cross the finishing line. The following employees from Axis took part in the challenge: Joe Ibrahim (Painting and Projects Managing Director), Monica Duhart (Senior Administrator), Kelly Hollis (Administrator), Fiona Mcdougall (Apprentice Surveyor), Rob Hutchinson (Site Supervisor), Jacky Prime (Contract Manager) and Ercan Hassan (Supervisor).

Fiona and Rob were the first of the Axis family to start the challenge and together accomplished 25K on bikes. Once the cycling was complete all of the team had to walk 25K across mixed terrain. Kelly explained: “We ran for some of it but as we had to go through lots of fields and up and down hills we walked for the majority. It was quite a struggle for us all but at least the sun was shining!”

After 6 hours of walking, the team completed the challenge by crossing the finish line attached to a harness and flying down a zip wire. Monica said: “The event was the perfect team-building opportunity. Although it wasn’t a competition, everyone really pushed themselves and it was great to be a part of it”.

The event proved to be a great success and the team are already preparing themselves for next year’s challenge. Joe said: “Despite the fact we were walking for 6 hours I enjoyed everyone’s company. We definitely want to take part again next year and hope to get more of Axis involved”.

The team raised over £300 with all proceeds helping to provide life-changing adventures for disadvantaged children in the communities in which we work. Find out more about our charitable Foundation here, or read the full story, here.