NEWS
LOCAL SENIOR LAND MANAGER COMPLETES 150-MILE CYCLING CHALLENGE FOR ROYAL BRITISH LEGION INDUSTRIES
Kent-based housebuilder Millwood Designer Homes has delightedly announced the successful completion of an exceptional 150-mile cycling challenge by Sarah Mason , its senior land manager .
Sarah ’ s incredible endeavour , titled ‘ Ride with A Veteran ’, which took her from the RBLI village in Aylesford , Kent , all the way to the iconic Menin Gate in Belgium , was undertaken to raise valuable funds in support of Royal British Legion Industries ( RBLI ), a charity dedicated to providing essential assistance to the Armed Forces , former military personnel with disabilities , and individuals facing unemployment .
Departing from the RBLI village in Aylesford , Sarah and her fellow cyclists embarked on a scenic route through the stunning Kent countryside , eventually reaching Dover where they crossed the Channel by ferry for the first night . The second day saw them continue their journey through France and Belgium , before their cycle ride culminated in the renowned city of Ypres . The following day , the participants attended the iconic Last Post ceremony at Menin Gate .
Sarah Mason expressed her heartfelt connection to the charity , commenting : “ The RBLI holds a special place in my heart . I feel an immense sense of gratitude towards all those who have served and made sacrifices to afford us the lives we live today .”
Nick Stonley , MD at Millwood Designer Homes , added : “ On behalf of us all at Millwood Designer Homes , I would like to extend a huge congratulations to Sarah and all involved in the ‘ Ride with A Veteran ’ challenge . Completing the cycle is a remarkable achievement and in doing so , Sarah has raised invaluable funds to the RBLI , a charity which continues to make such a huge positive impact on the lives of veterans in need .”
So far , Sarah has raised a commendable £ 2,170 for the RBLI . To contribute to Sarah Mason ’ s fundraising efforts , donations can still be made directly through her dedicated fundraising page , accessible via the following link : www . justgiving . com / fundraising / sarah-mason88 .
MUM-OF-TWO LAUNCHES NEW WELLNESS BUSINESS AIMED AT OFFERING AFFORDABLE AND ACCESSIBLE RETREAT EXPERIENCES IN KENT
A mum-of-two is fulfilling her dream of launching a wellness business aimed at offering affordable and accessible retreat experiences in Kent .
Louise Buet , 38 of East Peckham , came up with the idea of Calma Retreats after experiencing feelings of stress and burnout following years working in high pressure , fast paced environments managing marketing for a number of national brands . She said : “ I am very lucky to have an incredibly supportive husband and family , but trying to juggle a demanding career with the needs of my two young children left me feeling completely exhausted , mentally and physically . I began looking into wellness retreats , but quickly discovered that the excessive cost and time involved with the majority of these experiences made them inaccessible to most people .
“ I decided that it was the right time to step back from my marketing career and pursue my dream of starting a business to help others who felt in a similar situation to me , by creating an inclusive and affordable wellness experience that fits seamlessly into their lives ."
Calma Retreats offers a range of sessions , including meditation , yoga and sound bath , each meticulously designed to promote relaxation and rejuvenation , while helping to reduce stress and anxiety . Participants can also enjoy fresh juices , wellness shots and cakes during the retreat with opportunities for self-reflection and intention setting and , unlike traditional retreats that often require participants to take time off work , travel extensively , and incur significant expenses , Calma Retreats will bring the retreat experience directly to participants , ensuring minimal disruption to their daily lives .
100KM TRAILWALKER CHALLENGE FOR MACKNADE
A team from Macknade in Faversham have signed up for the annual Trailwalker challenge on the 23 & 24 September 2023 – a 100km nonstop walk starting in Petersfield , travelling along the historic South Downs Way , and finishing in Brighton 24 hours later .
In aid of the Gurkha Welfare
Trust , the team aims to raise money for the provision of financial , medical and development aid to Gurkha veterans , their families and communities .
The “ Macknade Monster March ” are a team made up of four walkers , including MD Shane Godwin , who will be taking on the trail itself , and a small support crew , who will be on hand to refuel the team and give them a much-needed morale boost at checkpoints every 10km along the route .
They are kindly supported by Hari Budha Magar , a Canterbury resident and former Gurkha soldier . Hari was injured in Afghanistan in 2010 , sustaining multiple injuries and losing both his legs above the knee . In May this year , Hari became the first ever double above-knee amputee to climb to the summit of Everest .
Hari commented , “ As a retired Gurkha and now an Ambassador for the GWT , I am enormously grateful for the support that the charity has provided for me and so many other Gurkha veterans , their families and community in Nepal . It has enabled me to overcome my injuries and conquer Everest . In turn , I hope that I can encourage others to overcome their own challenges and conquer their own mountains .
Trailwalker has been a military training exercise and competition since 1981 , and it is a genuine test of endurance and team-work . I look forward to supporting Finn , Rosie , Shane and Priya from Macknade and the many other civilian teams taking on the challenge in 2023 .”
With a tough fundraising target of £ 1,200 , the team would like to invite all customers , suppliers , and anyone else wishing to support the Gurkha Welfare Trust , to sponsor them at : trailwalker . gwt . org . uk / t / macknade-munchies .
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