Xperience Take on 20 Mile Challenge in Aid of Diabetes UK

Xperience employees are currently undergoing intensive training for their upcoming challenge… The largest and most gruelling obstacle course in the world!

Employees from Xperience Group are beginning a highly intensive training schedule to ensure they’re ready to take on the Rat Race Dirty Weekender at Burghley House on 9th May 2015. The event will include 200 obstacles as well as a 20 mile run to the finish line.

The reason for taking on this challenge… To raise awareness and money for diabetes, as it is a cause close to our hearts. Diabetes affects numerous families of the team at Xperience, which is why we have chosen Diabetes UK as our sponsored charity for 2015. Taking part in the event are: Nick Poncia, Jade Winters, Carl Francis, Neil Slater, Iain O’Kane, Mike Long, Andrew Ward, Marcell Varga.

What the team have to say:
We asked some of the participant’s two simple questions…
Q: What first interested you in taking part?
Neil: The physical challenge and raising money for a good cause.
Jade: I have taken part in obstacle/mud runs previously so this is the next step – I mean it’s only double the distance of previous obstacle races completed, how hard can it be?
Carl: It’s the worlds’ largest obstacle course… what an achievement it will be to complete!
Iain: Mr Poncia suggested it and it looks like a real challenge. I’m interested in any long distance events… This is unique and will hopefully beat the monotony of a marathon.
Nick: Having what claims to be “the world’s biggest assault course” on your doorstep and not ever trying it would be a real shame.

Q: What motivates you?
Neil: The desire to complete the course with zero training, as it’s all in the mind, and having the determination to succeed.
Jade: I can’t let the team down, failure is not an option.
Carl: Physical achievement beyond your normal limits.
Iain: It’s easier to let yourself down that others. Being part of a team keeps you honest… And motivated!
Nick: Raising money to support a good cause. It would also be good to encourage employees at the company to take on at least one fundraising challenge a year.

About Diabetes UK:
Diabetes UK are the UK’s leading diabetes charity and the largest charitable funder of diabetes research, with over 300,000 supporters nationwide. They work with over 6,500 volunteers in a bid to raise awareness, funds and campaign for change and greater support. They also have a professional membership of more than 10,000 healthcare professionals from varied clinical settings.

There are currently over 3.8 million people in the UK living with diabetes, including an estimated 630,000 people who have undiagnosed Type 2 diabetes. It has been predicted that this figure will rise to 4.6 million by 2030. These numbers are staggering and it is therefore no surprise that most of us know someone who is affected by diabetes.

Diabetes is a common life-long health condition, where the amount of glucose in the blood is too high because the body cannot use it properly. This is due to the pancreas not producing insulin, or not enough insulin, to help glucose enter your body’s cells. It is the hormone insulin, produced by the pancreas that allows glucose to enter the body’s cells, where it is used as fuel for energy so we can work and play.

Those who have diabetes, cannot make proper use of the glucose the body produces, leading to a build-up in the blood. There are various complications that diabetes sufferers can experience, including blindness, heart disease, nerve damage, stroke and in extreme cases, it can lead to death.

There are two main types of diabetes: Type 1 diabetes and Type 2 diabetes.

We would appreciate it if you could share this post with friends, family and colleagues to help raise awareness for Diabetes. If you are able to support us, please donate here. We appreciate all donations, however large or small they are, it all counts.