The five teams spent four days biking, hiking and 4x4 driving across the High Atlas Mountains to raise funds for the DofE.
The challenge offered a tough, yet incredibly rewarding journey combining unforgettable mountain scenery with the splendour and colour of Morocco. The country full of mysticism and mythology, a diverse and spectacular land. In the midst of it all lies the High Atlas mountain range.
The teams from Baker Tilly, Deloitte, DofE and Amey (who entered two teams) spent four days and three nights camping out in the Saharan wilderness. The teams drove 4x4 vehicles for the adventure which began in Ourzazate on Wednesday 30th September and finished in Marrakesh on Saturday 3rd October.
Each day involved cycling against the clock for up to 40km in 30 degree temperatures. There were quizzes about the local area, market and bushcraft challenges. The teams haggled in local markets and cooked on open fires, while seeing some of Morocco’s most stunning locations including the Dades Gorge, the 2900m Tizi Ounano Pass the lakeside at Imilchil and the capital Marrakesh.
The overall winners of the adventure were ‘Territorial Amey’, a four person team comprising of Duncan and James Codd, Chris People, and Andrew Gowans, from service provider Amey. They showed great teamwork, outstanding fitness and specialist knowledge which contributed to their fantastic victory.
Teams from Deloitte and Amey (4 Do Morocco) snapped up second and third places. All participants in the challenge really entered into the DofE spirit, demonstrating strong communication and solid team work.
The 20 participants were all given the challenge of raising £2,500 to support the DofE Charity’s work with young people. Some very creative fundraising methods, including weekly soup kitchens, sponsored cycles, beach parties and supermarket bag packing, have resulted in over £20,000 being raised for the Charity to further its work to give young people opportunities that they otherwise wouldn’t have.
Andrew Gowans, from team Territorial Amey, said: “We’re absolutely thrilled with our victory, but it is all the challenges and people that we’ve met that has made it such a memorable experience’’
Chris People, from team Territorial Amey, said:
“Out of all the amazing things that have happened through the challenge, my favourite memory is of how everybody came together during the event, despite being competitors and left as friends. A once in a lifetime opportunity, which pushed us all to our limits, we’ve all had a great time and I’m sure learnt a lot about ourselves”
Phil Brown, ex-Olympian and DofE Director, DofE team, said:
“The DofE really inspires the best in people, whether it’s the young actually doing the DofE, the volunteers who help them, or supporters like these.”