News

Second Westminster Challenge Trek scales Great Wall of China MP, Ambassador, councillors and supporters trek 100km along Great Wall in aid of charities GLG Partners and Ukio Bankas become principal sponsors A 17-strong team of politicians, including a Member of Parliament and the Lithuanian Ambassador have returned from a ten day expedition along the Great Wall of China after raising funds for various charities.

The team, which spent six days traversing 100km along the Great Wall after months of training, was raising money on behalf of ‘Westminster Challenge’, a charity established in 2006 to bring politics and charities closer together.  Trek China follows the successful Westminster Arctic Challenge in February 2007 when five MPs including Nick Clegg and Ed Vaizey, spent ten days crossing the Arctic Circle by husky dog sled.

The team was raising money for a number of charities including The Children’s Society, Cancer Research UK and Crimestoppers.  A number of local charities were also being supported by Huntingdon MP, Jonathan Djanogly and Parliamentary Candidates Andrew Stephenson (Pendle) and Hannah Foster (Exeter).

Krystal Miller, a cabinet member for Merton Council in London, who led the expedition, said, “We are all shattered after the experience.  It was amazing to be involved in such an event and I believe that it is important for people involved in politics to learn more about charities and to help them where they can.  By participating in the Westminster Challenge our team of 17 have helped enormously and have learnt a great deal about the work of a number of charities in the process.”

Richard Stephenson, Founder and Chairman of Westminster Challenge, said, “We have been recruiting politicians of every party and of every age.  Those on the front line and those whose role is behind the scenes.  Westminster Challenge is about encouraging politicians and those involved in politics at every level, from Ambassadors and Prime Ministers to local Councillors and party activists, to get involved with charitable fundraising.  The project has proven to be highly successful so far and many more events and activities are planned.”

Principal fundraising support came from GLG Partners and Ukio Bankas.  Lithuanian Ambassador to London, Vygaudas Usackas, said, “The chance to be involved in a project of this nature allows me to get closer to so many issues and to work with my political counterparts from the UK and also in China.  The work of Westminster Challenge is important to encourage politicians to engage with charities and to support them in any way they can.”

Stephenson added, “On behalf of the Board of Westminster Challenge and all of those involved in the China expedition I would like to thank our principal sponsors GLG Partners and Ukio Bankas.  We are delighted to have their support and we would also like to recognise the help and assistance offered by MarketForm and Holly Bellingham in assisting the project.”

The next project is due to take place in 2009 and politicians are currently being recruited.  For more information on Trek Lithuania 2009, please contact Richard Stephenson on richard.stephenson@westminsterchallenge.org

For further information

Richard Stephenson

Chairman

07970 623864 / richard.stephenson@westminsterchallenge.org