Category: Next Challenge Grant
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Could You Camp for 100 Nights in a Calender Year?
Last week I announced the winners of the 2016 Next Challenge Grant with a wonderful mix of ideas. But whilst I’ve been reading through this year’s applications, some of last year’s winners have been out there, in the hills, having their adventures. One such person is 23-year-old Canadian student, Carmen Braun. Her idea was as…
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The Winners of the 2016 Next Challenge Grant
I am delighted to announce the winners of this year’s Next Challenge Grant. The full list is below. Last year we supported eight fantastic expeditions. This year we have managed to double that and make awards to no less than 17 different adventures. And it’s thanks to you: the 121 people that donated £3 each,…
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Whether We Win Or Not, I’m Stoked
Last week I announced the shortlist for this year’s Next Challenge Grant. But before any of the applicants even knew whether or not they’d made that shortlist, dozens of them had sent lovely messages about how much they appreciated the grant. I’m just one of over 100 people that support this grant – lots of…
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Announcing the Shortlist for the 2016 Next Challenge Grant
I am delighted to announce the 50 ideas that have made it onto the shortlist for this year’s Next Challenge Grant. The full list is published below. We had around 300 applicants and the quality was excellent. There were so many great ideas from deserving applicants that haven’t made it onto the list. Each of…
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Cycling Over The Alps On A Bike With No Gears
Mikey Bartley was one of the winners of The 2015 Next Challenge Grant. He is planning to cycle up a classic Tour de France mountain in the Alps, eight times in a row, on a bicycle with no gears. [divide] Climbing Alpe d’huez on a track bike: Crazy idea right? by Mikey Bartley So this…
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121 People Just Did Something Wonderful
Applications for The 2016 Next Challenge Grant closed 10 days ago. 300 people applied and I have already seen a range of fantastic ideas amongst them. If you applied then you should have received an email from me this morning. Check your spam folder. Someone who made the shortlist last year missed the deadline because…
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Last Chance To Win All This Great Stuff
Applications for The Next Challenge Grant close this Friday. As well as money towards your adventure, there’s lots of other cool stuff up for grabs from a range of kind sponsors. Including… [divide] Lyon Equipment UK distributors for a range of great brands such as Ortlieb (think: panniers), Exped (camping mats) and Optimus (stoves). They…
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Advice for Next Challenge Grant applicants
Given the volume of applications I receive (about 1,300 in 2015) and the small number that we are able to fund (17 last year, 10 the year before), I thought it would be helpful to give some basic guidance on the sort of thing I am – and am not – looking for in an…
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We’ll Give You Money For Your Adventure If…
The Next Challenge Grant gives money to people with good a idea for an adventure. We’re particularly keen to help those who haven’t done much of this sort of thing before. However, as well as awards for general adventure ideas, there are some extra funds available for specific things. Extra money may be available for…
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The Great Glen Canoe Trail: Not Recommended For Inflatable Boats
2015 Next Challenge Grant Winners Ben Smith and Judith Pope recently completed their paddle the length of the Caledonian Canal in Scotland. Here’s Jude’s account… You can apply for – and donate to – the 2016 Next Challenge Grant here. Paddling the Caledonian Canal in a Packraft Made for Two by Judith Pope In April…
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Meet The People Giving Away Their Money For Someone Else’s Adventure
If you have an idea for an adventure then you should apply for my grant now. I call it ‘my’ grant but I only fund a fraction of it myself. Most of the money comes from other people. There are nine adventurers (people) who are each giving between £100 and £200 towards the grant. I…
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Wouldn’t It Be A Dull Life If Lived Firmly Within The Comfort Zone?
2015 grant winners Jude and Ben are about to tackle the Caledonian Canal in an inflatable boat. Here, Jude shares her dislike of water and the cold but why life would be dull if we always lived within our comfort zones. Jude and Ben’s trip is one of ten expeditions sponsored by a Next Challenge…