The Fernbrae Five

Published

20th October 2016

They organised a virtual challenge race from John \'O\'Groats to Lands End in September. This involved making a team of up to 5 people or doing the race solo. The race started on the first of September, and each person was given a pedometer and a lovely yellow Archie t-shirt.

It had been by chance that they had seen the challenge and decided to give it a go.

The team of 5 all work in the theatre department at Fernbrae Hospital, Angie Isles, Lorraine Boath, Dave Hume, Lynne McIntosh and Wendy Helm. So decided to name their team \"The Fernbrae Five\" and set their goal at £200.00, although during the 30 days the team should have been called the Fernbrae five minus one, as there always seemed to be a team member ill, missing or drunk (whilst off duty I might add).

The team entered in to the challenge like excited children been let out to play... and soon the \"how many steps are you on?\" was a regular question asked by the team. Soon who could get out the door fastest to visit the other departments in the hospital became a regular event to gain more steps.

The team tracked their steps each evening and the Archie foundation converted them into miles and soon they were on our way to Lands End. Not only were steps converted to miles but also every pound donated was a mile too.

It soon became apparent that family, friends and colleagues present and past had decided to support The Fernbrae Five and soon their goal went from £200 to £400 then £500 to £800 then £1000 to £1200. Once they reached their goal of £1000 the challenge became a mission and no one was safe from the mighty \"Fernbrae Five\" So the next regular question from the team was \"would you like to sponsor us? We’re doing the virtual challenge for the Archie foundation\"

The total grew and grew and soon The Fernbrae Five were on the last few days of the challenge. Four teams were juggling for first position of the 176 teams taking place. During the final 12 hours, after a request to a former colleague her company Robertson construction came through with a fantastic donation of £500.00. Which meant The Fernbrae Five were top of the leader board!!!

The last few hours of the 30th September were very slow, and during these hours friends, family and colleagues etc. carried on donating.

By the end of the race \"The Fernbrae Five\" have raised £2312.16 and covered an overall distance of 3041.64 miles meaning that they had first place out of the 176 teams.

The whole challenge was a fantastic experience and all money raised has gone to a fantastic cause the Archie Foundation Tayside and helped them on their way to building two new children\'s theatres at Ninewells hospital.

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