Linden Homes 'Gladiators' Rise To The Challenge To Help Sick Children
22 Sep 2014

Gladiators Ready! Answering the battle cry from a national charity to help dreams come true for needy youngsters were epic fundraisers from Linden Homes Midlands.

Taking on five other teams in the regional race to find clues, complete challenges and raise as much cash as possible were members of the company’s technical and land team; Mark Bond, Alex Clark, Elgan Daniel and Gary Martin.

Better known on the recent challenge as Gary and the Gladiators, the team completed a 200 mile round trip taking in Bedfordshire, Nottingham and Leicestershire to boost coffers in the Dreamflight’s Great Escape event.

With only £1 each, no mobile phones or credit cards, the team was ‘dropped’ at its destination and completed a series of 40+ challenges – which took them across the city visiting landmarks, collecting various items and securing a raffle prize and a lottery ticket free of charge.– all whilst raising money in aid of the Dreamflight charity.

Using their own initiative to get from place to place, the team members also raised additional funds through donations from the general public keen to have their photo taken with a Roman Gladiator!

Head of technical, Gary Martin was the driving force behind putting the team together – supporting a charity which helped his own young daughter.

Gary said: “Once a year, the charity takes 192 deserving children with a serious illness or disability from all over the UK to Florida to spend 10 magical days of fun and excitement.

“The children leave their families behind giving them an opportunity to discover independence, confidence, and a whole new outlook on life. Often for the first time, these children realise that they are not alone.

“They see children around them who have also suffered, they gain perspective, and experience things they never thought possible and it changes their lives.

“My daughter Elena was among those to benefit from the Dreamflight trip to Disney World Orlando in 2013. This was an amazing experience for Elena and does give seriously ill children the opportunity to gain confidence, self-esteem and have some fun.”

He added: “We had an amazing day completing the challenges and a lot of laughs along with way. A huge thanks to every single person who donated to the cause.”

To date, Gary and the Gladiators have raised around £1,500 – thanks to the support of family and friends, as well as those they met during the challenge – using social media to help spread the word.

There is still chance to donate and find out more about the charity by visiting -
<http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/team/GladiatorsGreatEscape>
<http://www.dreamflight.org/>

-ENDS-

For further press information please contact Cetti Long at Media Matters on 01733 371363 or email cetti@mediamatters-pr.co.uk

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