Step by Step: Nugent Fundraisers Trek the Sahara for Life-Changing Initiatives
From the 12th to 18th November 2023, 14 amazing individuals, including colleagues from Nugent and supporters from businesses across Merseyside, undertook a 100km trek across the Sahara Desert, to raise funds for our services and projects across the region.
So far, the challenge has generated a total income of £53,589.64! The generosity our fundraisers have received has surpassed all expectations, and we are immensely grateful for everyone’s support.
To prepare for the mammoth task that awaited them in the Sahara, the group spent the months during the lead up to the challenge walking for miles up hills and mountains, along beaches, and through the countryside. The trek was no walk in the park, but the camaraderie of the group kept spirits high, propelling them through every testing moment. Their commitment and dedication to the challenge from day one has been extraordinary, from intense training schedules to organising their own fundraising events, every member has done their utmost to raise as much as possible for the people we care for across our services and within our local communities.
Many of our fundraisers have their own personal reasons for taking on this challenge. They each chose a Nugent service or project to which they would like to see the funds donated to. This includes:
Our Future Now: Empowering some of the most excluded young people in society to transform lives. The initiative is built on four pillars; employability, memorable experiences, accommodation, and poverty alleviation. Every person deserves a chance to shine, irrespective of the circumstances they were born into.
Chosen by:
Jo Henney, Nugent CEO
Tracey King, Nugent’s Head of Adult Homes
Packages for Families Escaping Domestic Abuse: Enabling more families to safely leave a home where violence, or the threat of violence, is present.
Chosen by:
Kev Williams, Nugent’s Head of Governance
Andrew Allen, Chief Executive at Aabyss
Leon McCowan, Director at Your Business Mobile, sales coach at The Sales Dojo and Lecturer at Liverpool University
Frankie Doughty, Trading Operations Manager and Associate Director at BCB Group
Jenny Ness, Nugent’s Head of Adoption
Multi-gym at Marydale: Establishing a multi-gym at our secure children’s home for children who are vulnerable, traumatised and disadvantaged between 10 and 18 years old.
Chosen by:
Deborah King, Director at Building Careers UK
Howard Lewis, General Manager at Novotel Liverpool Paddington Village
Sensory Garden at The Orchards: Creating a sensory garden to promote the health and well-being of the people we support.
Chosen by:
Keith Wilde, Nugent’s Head of Community
Nugent’s Crisis Fund: Helping families and individuals living in our local communities who are facing extreme poverty.
Chosen by:
Hetal Mainwaring, Nugent’s Head of People
Lime House Activity Room: Converting the lounge at Lime House into a multifunctional activity room for our residents with dementia to promote cognitive and social stimulation.
Chosen by:
Dave Verburg, Managing Director at Mission Success
Wildlife Garden at The Willows: Developing a wildlife garden for bird watching, foraging, and therapy animals for young people aged 13 to 18 of all abilities, who have been assessed as needing the positive experiences and emotional support that a residential setting can provide.
Chosen by:
Clare Ellis, Director at Wellness in the City Liverpool
A heartfelt thank you to each and every fundraiser who signed up and participated in this once-in-a-lifetime adventure. Your commitment will make a significant impact on the lives of those we care for across our services and within our local communities. Every penny raised will contribute to improving lives and creating positive change.
Here are some reflections from our incredible fundraisers, following one of the most demanding experiences they will ever face:
Thank you to all of our sponsors, without your generosity, this challenge would not have happened:
Krol Corlett Construction, RFM Group, PIB Risk Management, Cataphract, Moore Media, Frankie Kemp, Grahams Consultants, Bakare Barley, Sagegreen Consulting, Price Training, Lynbrook, Sutcliffe, Lisa Ellis Consultancy, Legacy Hotels & Resorts, Aabyss, Watchguard, Building Careers Uk, SB&P and Datto.
We look forward to sharing updates in the future on how the chosen projects are progressing and how the people we care for are benefiting from the funds raised from this audacious challenge.
