The RedR Challenge took place on the 5th & 6th July 2003 at the Civil Service Training College, Sunningdale Park near Ascot. RedR are an international charity working to relieve suffering in disasters by selecting, training and providing competent and effective relief personnel to humanitarian aid agencies world-wide.

Twenty nine teams, primarily from engineering companies, raised £55,000 for RedR. The teams faced a number of physical and mental challenges over the weekend designed to test them to the limit in a number of environments.

Set in the fictional country of RedRaq the teams carried out exercises designed to simulate some of the situations faced by RedR engineers in the field. Teams found themselves quad biking, stretcher carrying and playing human chess. Even the physical activities had mental elements with teams being required to solve puzzles before moving on to the next stage of the activity. Each activity was carefully de-briefed and the relevance to what RedR members may face in the field was highlighted.

As an added annoyance factor each team had to carry 'emergency water' consisting of a 25 litre 'jerry can'. There were local police and security on patrol and teams were fined if they were found to have used their emergency water without authorisation!.

The event was designed, planned and implemented by Global Challenge UK, specialists in the planning and management of outdoor events specifically designed for charities to raise money for their work.

Some comments from the participants:

"Excellent weekend, very physically tiring"

"Brilliant fun and a good challenge"

"Two great days really well organised"

"I am knackered but have thoroughly enjoyed it"