The Mud Pack Challenge is Back – Bigger and Muddier!

Registration has officially opened for The Hospice of St Francis Mud Pack Challenge II- and organisers promise it will be bigger and muddier than ever!

The adrenalin-fuelled obstacle course is to take place in the beautiful grounds of Ashridge House on Sunday 18th October and promises lots of muddy fun, with participants crawling, wading and climbing through the 190-acre gardens and woodland of the historic country estate, negotiating wet and muddy obstacles along the way.

New this year are two distance options of 5 or 10 miles, new muddy obstacles,  a special Spectator Squirting Zone and a new super snazzy lime green technical sports T-shirt.

Fran Martin, Events Manager at the Hospice said: “We are so excited about Mud Pack II, the sequel! With over 600 participants last year, local people showed us that they love the chance to do an exciting new challenge which is a little out of the ordinary – but most of all to have fun! 

“This year, we have a bigger capacity, more mud and more obstacles. What better way to spend an autumn day than by doing something completely different in a fabulous location and all for a fantastic cause. Register now for a muddy good time!”

Places are already being snapped up by local teams and individuals keen to get filthy for the Berkhamsted-based charity - among them the Keohane Crew, a team of nearly 100 friends of Eleanor and Paul Keohane, taking part to thank the Hospice for the care it gave gifted sportsman Paul, 52, who passed away there last month (June 2015) after a bravely fought battle with cancer.

The couple’s four daughters, Freya, 13, Ursula, 12, Madeline, 10, and Cordelia, six, continue to be supported by the Hospice’s Children’s Services team.

“We are so proud to be taking part as a team in Paul’s name,” explained Eleanor, 43, from Rectory Lane, Berkhamsted.

“There’s going to be lots of smiles, lots of mud, loads of fun and a huge amount of team work helping each other round. When it gets tough, we’ll all dig deep together, knowing we’re doing it for Paul and for the Hospice.

“The level of care and love and support that Paul received there was just amazing. He’d been nervous about being admitted but within hours, I could see him visibly relax and after two days, he woke up euphoric and pain-free for the first time in many months. The care they gave him in a home from home environment was beyond anything we’d ever experienced before.

“He would have done anything to support the Hospice and would have loved to have been part of the Keohane Crew but he’d be thrilled to know that all these people are taking part for him to enable the Hospice’s amazing care to continue.”

Mum-of-two, Amanda McDermott, from Cow Roast, has signed up for the second year running with pals Laura Hobson, Laura Cowan and Lyn Walsh, all from Pitstone, and taking part as Team `Tuff Birds.’

"We're so excited about doing the Mud Pack Challenge for the second year running" said Amanda, 45. “Last year we had such an amazing day - we didn’t stop laughing all the way round, whether it was carrying tyres or commando-ing through the mud.

“All the Mud Packers came together to do something worthwhile for the Hospice and the sense of camaraderie was really uplifting. This year, we’re hoping to do the 10k distance – twice as far, twice as muddy and twice as many laughs!”

The event is open to anyone with a basic level of fitness and no specific training is required. It’s perfect for individuals over 15 and also fantastic fun for friends, teams and work colleagues. All that’s needed is a sense of adventure and a willingness to get muddy!

Places are limited, so don’t delay, get your pack together and sign up now at www.stfrancis.org.uk/mudpack

 Participants are asked to raise a minimum sponsorship of £50 to help the Hospice raise the £4.8m it needs every year to fund its free care for people living with life-limiting illness – 80% of which it relies on from voluntary donations.