Five Tower Challenge helps kids raise charity funds

Five Tower Challenge helps kids raise charity funds, get fit As many as 60 school children from a Southampton City Council community improvement scheme will trek up and down a half-mile’s worth of steps in five tower blocks to raise funds for Hampshire & Isle of Wight Air Ambulance (HIoWAA) on Tuesday, 5 April, 10am-2pm. The Junior Neighbourhood Warden’s Five Tower Challenge–walking or running a total of 1,820 steps at Hampton, Harve, Oslo, Copenhagen and Rotterdam Towers along International Way, Weston–aims to raise at least £1000 for Air Ambulance. The Junior Neighbourhood Wardens will be joined by cadets and instructors from the Military Preparation College Southampton, who will be doing warm-up exercises and providing their own unique style of motivation. We would also like to invite the local community to support and participate in the event, from 11:30am, starting at Hampton Towers. Nick Cross, Head of Housing Services, said: “The Five Tower Challenge is a fun and exciting way for kids from the Junior Neighbourhood Wardens and the local schools to raise funds for the Housing Services’ Charity of the Year, Air Ambulance, and get fit. Since starting our Charity of the Year, we’ve raised nearly £20,000, and hope to add to that phenhome.com with this event.” Dr Bob Coates, Acting Director of Public Health, said: “The Five Tower Challenge is a win on two fronts for Southampton. It benefits a worthy cause in the Air Ambulance and it’s a creative way to encourage our young people to be more active, something which is vital to their health and wellbeing. I am proud of the wardens and their energy and commitment to making this event a reality.” Alex Lochrane, CEO, Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance, said: “We are incredibly grateful to Southampton City Council Housing Services for choosing HIOWAA as their charity of the year. The Five Tower Challenge is an inspired way of raising money for us, and a great way to involve the local community in a novel and rewarding challenge. A huge thank you from all of us at HIOWAA” Those who complete the Five Tower Challenge will receive a certificate, and the person who collects the most sponsors will win a £20 Argos voucher. The participants are seeking sponsorship per block; for example, £1 per block for £5.00 total. Interested corporate sponsors should contact Ian Mitchell, Junior Neighbourhood Wardens Co-ordinator (Tel 07766 508604).