Local charities will share around £16,000, all thanks to the 2021 Moonraker Challenge. Taunton Vale Rotary Club first ran a sponsored night hike 34 years ago, naming it “The Moonraker Challenge”. This became an annual event and has raised over £325,000 to date.
In early October 2021, 250 walkers navigated their way in the dark, around either 7 or 16 miles of footpaths and byways near Bishops Lydeard; raising funds for Young Somerset, Green Days Day Care and other rotary charities. The main aims of The Moonraker Challenge are:
- to raise money
- for people to have fun in different and challenging circumstances
The winners were announced at a celebration dinner attended by over 100 people at Oake Manor Golf Club, on November 22nd 2021. The long course winners were “in it to win it”, with the short course being won by ‘Dark Horses’. In terms of team sponsorship raised, in second place were 39 Marching Maidens, raising £1303, with the winners being “Stepladder – Somerset & 39s Men & 39s Mental Health Project”, who raised £1616. In mid-November, total team sponsorship stood at £14,336, with late donations and Gift Aid.
Nick Harwood outlined the role of Young Somerset to guests at the celebration dinner. He said, “more people are being recruited as they expand the work they are doing to improve mental health support across Somerset.” Green Days Day Care provides personal care for adults with learning disabilities and Marc and Kirri from Green Days said their aim is to give adults with learning disabilities the best possible chance of achieving success and happiness in their lives.
Philip Greenway, president of Taunton Vale Rotary Club, also thanked the event sponsors.
The Moonraker Challenge will be run again in October 2022, on a date to be advised, so please keep an eye on Taunton Vale Rotary& 39s website for more details and updated information at tauntonvalerotary.org.uk/moonraker-challenge.