Rival Southampton university students launch fundraiser for NHS
Students at two Southampton universities have set their rivalry aside to pull together and raise money for our NHS Heroes by walking, running and cycling to France - virtually!
Distance covered is a collective unit from individual participants
Submitted by Jacob Sand Edited by Sarah Leonard
Students from Southampton have found a way to travel during the lockdown with a virtual roundtrip to France, all in the name of fundraising!
Lockdown has seen a welcome increase in the number of creative fundraising initiatives, with a particular emphasis on physical activity to coincide with our daily exercise.
In light of this heightened sense of community, Southampton Solent University and The University of Southampton have set their rivalry aside to pull together and create the 'Snowsports Fundraiser'.
They are raising money for the NHS with a collective run, walk or cycle to their favourite ski bar, Saloon, in Val Thorens, France.
Students can use their daily exercise as an opportunity to clock up mileage before submitting their distances.
In total, they will travel 2,518km from Jesters nightclub in Southampton, Hampshire to the Saloon Bar in France - and back again.
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The Snowsports Fundraiser began on Monday, May 11 and in just four days the teams have already covered 1,216km, successfully making it to their virtual destination.
They have raised £1,395 so far but hope to hit their target of £2,518 - matching their overall travel distance.
Now they are looking for donations to get them over the finishing line and help raise more money for the brilliant NHS.
Update: May 17, 8.26am
The incredible efforts of both Southampton teams has seen them reach their initial target of 2,518km in only five days.
So to make use of the remaining time before the Snowsports Fundraiser deadline on Wednesday, May 20, they are attempting to cover even more ground with a new pub goal - this time, a little more inland.
As well as their collective accomplishment of reaching and returning from the Saloon bar in France, Solent Snowports and Southampton University Ski and Snowboard Club (SUSSC) are now headed to the Three Sisters Pub in Edinburgh.
Once again their club members will be cycling, walking and running in their local areas before logging their distances as a collective team.
When added together, they will have managed an impressive 2,864km in total.
Their fundraising target remains at £2,518 and with another 1,118km left in the tank, there's still time to support their efforts on behalf of the NHS.
Donations can be made on their Go Fund Me page here or you can follow the journey on Instagram @solentsnowsports.
We have been overwhelmed reading about how our communities are helping each other during these difficult times. We want YOU to share and shout about what you are doing for your neighbourhoods.
