Member Article

Teams hit the slopes as AJ Bell backs Alpine charity challenge

Manchester-headquartered investment platform AJ Bell is once again sponsoring a snow sports endurance event in the Alps.

The 10th annual AJ Bell Alpine Challenge, hosted by youth charity Snow-Camp, is taking place in Morzine, France, near the Swiss border at the heart of the Portes Du Soleil region.

It involves 17 teams of four riders skiing and snowboarding over 150km across 15 resorts over two action-packed days, navigating more than 30 checkpoints along the way.

Snow-Camp is hoping to beat last year’s efforts which saw the event raise more than £50,000 for the charity.

It is the UK’s only registered charity which uses snow sports to engage inner city young people to provide them with life skills, nationally-recognised qualifications and employment opportunities.

To date, the AJ Bell Alpine Challenge has raised over £500,000 for Snow-Camp’s work with young people across the UK.

Andy Bell, chief executive of AJ Bell, said: “Snow-Camp is a great charity that helps disadvantaged youngsters using snow sports as a means to do this.

“From first-hand experience, I can vouch that the AJ Bell Alpine Challenge is one of the toughest charity challenges around.

“It brings together skiers at all levels who want to help others less fortunate than themselves while testing their skiing and orienteering skills in the Alps across France and Switzerland.”

Teams taking part in this year’s event, which runs until Sunday, come from a diverse range of sectors and locations, including AJ Bell and Santander.

Dan Charlish, Snow-Camp’s founder, said: “The AJ Bell Alpine Challenge is now in its 10th year so it is a special anniversary for the event this time around.

“The challenge is all about strategy, teamwork and stamina but, most importantly, it’s about having a great time and raising funds to support young people.

“As always, I’m incredibly grateful to all the teams fundraising for Snow-Camp. Their support is essential in helping us make a difference with the young people we work with every day.”

Snow-Camp, whose supporters include rower Sir Steve Redgrave and Olympic medal-winning snowboarder Jenny Jones, launched in the north west last year with backing from AJ Bell.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by AJ Bell .