Ben asks pupils to join him on 14,000-mile charity adventure
YOUNGSTERS are being invited to get active to help an ultraendurance athlete complete a superhuman challenge.
Ben Smith, known for running 401 marathons in 401 days for charity, is prearing for a new challenge – to run and cycle 14,000 miles across 50 US States in 104 days.
Ben is now inviting schools and pupils across the country to join him, virtually, as part of a programme to support their physical and mental wellbeing.
Pupils participating in the Schools Wellbeing Programme can choose from over 100 activities, from running and walking to washing the car or even baking, to count their steps and convert them into all important miles to complete the challenge.
The intiative launches this week in the lead up to World Mental Health Day and is run by Ben’s 401 Foundation charity.
Ben said: “At a time when mental health is so incredibly poignant, we wanted to create something that could not only support children returning to school but also teachers, parents and all those in the wider school community.
“The 401 Challenge changed my life and touched more people than I ever thought possible.
“Accomplishing extreme feats is the clearest, undeniable example that anything is possible if you set your mind to it.
“I want to share that value of resilience with children across the UK and we felt that the USA Challenge offered an incredible opportunity to do that by inviting them to join us every step of the way, virtually.”
The USA Challenge Wellbeing Programme is centred around the virtual USA Challenge route, powered by MyVirtualMission, an online app-based platform.
Participating schools will gain access to a full suite of resources, including USA Challenge passports, reward and route trackers, medals and postcards as well as free online yoga and meditation classes by The Wild Box, designed for both adults and children under 12.
The schools programme will help raise funds towards Ben’s target of raising £500,000 for The 401 Foundation.
The charity offers easy and accessible grants to local community and grassroots community projects that support mental wellbeing and build confidence. Fifteen per cent of what is fundraised by a school will also be returned as a grant from the 401 Foundation to support the development of school mental health projects.
For more information on the USA Challenge Schools Wellbeing Programme visit www.401foundation.co.uk/ theusachallenge