Is David Peterborough’s most active fundraiser this year?

David Wait, the Centre Manager of Serpentine Green shopping centre in Peterborough, is now half way through eight extraordinary physical challenges he has set himself, to raise money for local charity, Disability Peterborough*.

Inspiring inclusive sport and leisure activities in Peterborough

David says, “I am doing these challenges to raise funds for a fantastic local charity, Disability Peterborough. The charity could really benefit from more funding so thought I would do something big in the hope it encourages companies and people to donate to this worthwhile cause. One of the main aims is to encourage and provide sport and leisure activities through their Inspire Peterborough project**.” David is self-funding each of the challenges, with backing from his employer British Land. This means that every single penny David raises will go to the charity. “As the Centre Manager of Serpentine Green, I’m not just passionate about making it a leading and popular shopping destination in Peterborough, but also an important part of community life. British Land wants all of their centres to make a real and positive contribution to their local neighbourhoods. That’s why they support community initiatives and employee volunteering and fundraising activities like mine.” “British Land has been really supportive and in helping to make this enormous fundraising effort possible. All British Land staff can take up to four days’ paid time off for volunteering activities every year. They also contribute towards money-raising efforts.

Donations climb to almost £8,000.

After completing the first four challenges – nicknamed Waity’s Monster Challenges - David is already nearing his fundraising target of £10,000. So, he has raised his sights and hopes to reach an incredible £20,000.

Four challenges completed

In July David completed the National 3 Peaks Challenge in 23 hours and undertook a 12,000 feet parachute jump. In August he took part in a 100KM race across the south coast of England, which took him 16 hours to complete. Last month he completed his fourth challenge climbing Island Peak in the Himalayas; a gruelling endeavour to an altitude of more than twenty thousand feet.

Next stop: Peru for the toughest footrace on earth

In two days’ time David will be running across the Ica Desert in the 120km Half Marathon Des Sables, which is French for Marathon of the Sands. The Ica Desert is one of the world’s driest regions, with huge dunes and sandy hills, making it a highly challenging setting for a race. This will be the fifth challenge on his list, with three more next year finishing in April.

David’s upcoming challenges

1st December 2018 – Half Marathon De Sables – 120Km across Ica Desert in Peru 5th January 2019 – Fan Dance – 50km trek over Pen-Y-Fan 3rd February 2019 – 66 Miles – North Downs Pilgrim Challenge 5th April 2019 – Full Marathon De Sables – 250km across the Sahara

Help David raise £20,000 for Disability Peterborough

If you would like to make a donation please visit David’s fundraising page called Waity’s Monster Challenges at Local Giving. www.localgiving.org/fundraising/waitysmonsterchallenges

*Disability Peterborough

Disability Peterborough provides free confidential and impartial information and advice for physically disabled people, their carers and families. For more information about the charity please visit their website at www.disabilitypeterborough.org

**Inspire Peterborough

is one of Disability Peterborough’s projects, which promotes sport, leisure, health and wellbeing initiatives for disabled people and their family members and carers. Find out more at www.inspirepeterborough.com