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Adventure Race South Africa

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Many of you who visit the Chamwell Centre will know of (the always cheerful) Julie de Leeuw. Not only is she Chamwell’s Operations Manager, she’s also our in-house ‘pocket rocket’. When most of us are thinking of how we can spend our days away from work relaxing at home or with friends and family, Julie is planning her training schedule. You remember that day last week when it reached 2 degrees Celsius? Well, Julie had her day off and was out kayaking. “Sorry!”, she typed in her text – “my fingers are freezing, I can’t type properly I’m so cold after 40 miles of kayaking”. You see, Julie and her husband Anton are Adventure Racers.

In August they competed in the Adventure Racing World Championships in Galacia, Spain. They raced against 100 teams from around the world navigating 630km of brutal but stunning landscape, trekking, kayaking, mountain biking, and orienteering, all the while being completely unsupported and racing against a clock that never stops for sleep. Without any assistance, only 6 hours sleep in 5 days and suffering extreme hypothermia and major blisters they finished the race.

We tracked their progress online. One day it looked like they were going the wrong way compared to the rest of the field. “We probably were” said Julie, “I suffered hypothermia four times that day and it was pretty tough”.  Another day they missed the last gondola to the top of the mountain for the next stage of the race. Others did too – but they gave up. Not Julie and Anton’s team – they only went and cycled up the mountain to be met by their fellow competitors with a standing ovation. Despite everything thrown at them, they crossed the line beating over half the course. That’s how tough and committed they are.

Having thought the race in Galacia might have been the race to get extreme and ultra-endurance sport out of their system, they have instead registered for Expedition Africa in March 2022.

We’ve asked Julie to share her training and planning schedule with us on the Chamwell Centre website in the run up to the next race – so that we can all be inspired by their commitment and determination. You see, not only do they race for their own sense of satisfaction – but they also do it to raise funds for the Chamwell Centre.

Julie tells us “However gruelling the race, there’s always the opportunity to stop and make the fatigue, muscle pain, and cognitive difficulties fade away over time. Yet, if you are born or acquire a physical, neurological, or intellectual disability – every day is a major challenge. Adventure Racing is not everyone’s cup of tea; however, it is how we can partner with the Chamwell Centre to raise both awareness and money for the members”.

Follow Julie and Anton’s preparations (and pain!) for the next big race on their sporting calendar – and you can support their fundraising too by donating here

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Oct

20

/

2023

Chamwell Cafe Play Area

Our play area in the cafe is there for all children to explore and enjoy. It's a wonderful free element to our community cafe.

Oct

20

/

2023

Thursday morning 'Term Time' Soft Play

Our Soft Play is available from 9.30-12.30 on a Thursday during term time. This can be booked via our website for general use or for private hire

May

17

/

2023

Adult Physiotherapy

Adult (over 25) assessments and 1:1 hydrotherapy sessions with our physiotherapist are currently on hold. Please see full details.

Sep

30

/

2022

Celebrate our Volunteer

Meet Alex - Alex volunteers for us one day a week in the Chamwell Community Café

Sep

30

/

2022

Could you be a fabulous fundraiser like Miles?

Miles is a pupil at The Milestone School - not only does Miles enjoy using the Chamwell Centre facilities during the school day he also visits us with his family during school holidays and on the weekends.

Sep

18

/

2022

Lucy and family hold a fabulous fundraising event at Highnam Court

Lucy wanted to hold this fundraising event, as she has been so grateful for the support and help Chamwell has given her and her family.

Aug

9

/

2022

Be part of something life changing

The Chamwell Centre is Gloucestershire’s visionary, unique and only facility of its kind in the county that aims to transform the lives and wellbeing of children, young people and adults with disability.

Jun

16

/

2022

Chamwell's Swim Teacher Jo ran 50km to support the charity

Do you remember those really hot summer days? Well, our amazing Swim Teacher Jo Davis, determined as she is, ran a gruelling 50km in ridiculously hot temperatures in the Forest of Dean, to raise funds for sensory equipment in the Chamwell hydrotherapy pool.

May

15

/

2022

Cader Idris Mountain Race

Ras y Gader, the Cader Idris mountain race, one of the toughest fell races in Wales, and viewed by many as a classic "must do" race. The event starts and finishes in the market town of Dolgellau, at sea level, and climbs almost 3000ft to the summit of Pen y Gader itself. One of the real challenges of the race is the constantly changing terrain, switching from steep metalled roads to flat tracks behind Gwernan lake, pitched steps up the Pony Path, and picking your way among the boulder fields on the final ascent........and then you've got to do it all in reverse!

May

4

/

2022

Molly's Blog

Welcome to my blog - To all you explorers!  I first found out about the Chamwell Centre Charity as I was looking for hydrotherapy facilities in the area. After more research I really admire what they offer to young children and adults with disabilities and learning difficulties.

May

4

/

2022

Soundabout Choir

We're working towards our first ever performance at Worcester Cathedral in partnership with Worcestershire’s Inclusive Choir. The event will take place on the evening of Sunday 12th June at 6:30 pm - 7:15pm. We will be be learning a new song to perform at the event, which is Amazing Grace.

Mar

8

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2022

Adventure Race South Africa 3 weeks to go!

How time flies!! - only 3 weeks to go, managed to complete a 50km run with our 8kg rucksack on Sunday, so our training is still on track.

Feb

2

/

2022

HRH The Princess Royal officially opens the Chamwell Centre

We are delighted to report that Her Royal Highness, The Princess Royal, officially opened the Chamwell Centre on Tuesday 25 January.

Jan

31

/

2022

Adventure Race South Africa 8 weeks to go

Yikes we only have eight weeks left until we fly to South Africa (SA) for our next adventure race.

Jan

17

/

2022

Adventure Race South Africa

Many of you who visit the Chamwell Centre will know of (the always cheerful) Julie de Leeuw. Not only is she Chamwell’s Operations Manager, she’s also our in-house ‘pocket rocket’. When most of us are thinking of how we can spend our days away from work relaxing at home or with friends and family, Julie is planning her training schedule. You remember that day last week when it reached 2 degrees Celsius? Well, Julie had her day off and was out kayaking. “Sorry!”, she typed in her text – “my fingers are freezing, I can’t type properly I’m so cold after 40 miles of kayaking”. You see, Julie and her husband Anton are Adventure Racers.

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Adventure Race South Africa

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Many of you who visit the Chamwell Centre will know of (the always cheerful) Julie de Leeuw. Not only is she Chamwell’s Operations Manager, she’s also our in-house ‘pocket rocket’. When most of us are thinking of how we can spend our days away from work relaxing at home or with friends and family, Julie is planning her training schedule. You remember that day last week when it reached 2 degrees Celsius? Well, Julie had her day off and was out kayaking. “Sorry!”, she typed in her text – “my fingers are freezing, I can’t type properly I’m so cold after 40 miles of kayaking”. You see, Julie and her husband Anton are Adventure Racers.

In August they competed in the Adventure Racing World Championships in Galacia, Spain. They raced against 100 teams from around the world navigating 630km of brutal but stunning landscape, trekking, kayaking, mountain biking, and orienteering, all the while being completely unsupported and racing against a clock that never stops for sleep. Without any assistance, only 6 hours sleep in 5 days and suffering extreme hypothermia and major blisters they finished the race.

We tracked their progress online. One day it looked like they were going the wrong way compared to the rest of the field. “We probably were” said Julie, “I suffered hypothermia four times that day and it was pretty tough”.  Another day they missed the last gondola to the top of the mountain for the next stage of the race. Others did too – but they gave up. Not Julie and Anton’s team – they only went and cycled up the mountain to be met by their fellow competitors with a standing ovation. Despite everything thrown at them, they crossed the line beating over half the course. That’s how tough and committed they are.

Having thought the race in Galacia might have been the race to get extreme and ultra-endurance sport out of their system, they have instead registered for Expedition Africa in March 2022.

We’ve asked Julie to share her training and planning schedule with us on the Chamwell Centre website in the run up to the next race – so that we can all be inspired by their commitment and determination. You see, not only do they race for their own sense of satisfaction – but they also do it to raise funds for the Chamwell Centre.

Julie tells us “However gruelling the race, there’s always the opportunity to stop and make the fatigue, muscle pain, and cognitive difficulties fade away over time. Yet, if you are born or acquire a physical, neurological, or intellectual disability – every day is a major challenge. Adventure Racing is not everyone’s cup of tea; however, it is how we can partner with the Chamwell Centre to raise both awareness and money for the members”.

Follow Julie and Anton’s preparations (and pain!) for the next big race on their sporting calendar – and you can support their fundraising too by donating here

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