OVER 25 people took part and supported a group of young people’s recent challenge, raising money for WaterAid.

Blend Bude Youth Collective set themselves a challenge to walk from the centre of Bude to Northcott Mouth, filling buckets of water and carrying them all the way back to Bude again.

Over 25 people were in attendance for the duration of the challenge, which took place on Sunday, September 23, with Blenders dressed in appropriate walking wear — or even going barefoot — with the day being described by leader Jamie Wright as a ‘feel good fest’ all round.

With heavy rain in the morning, the Blenders were happy to see the sun finally appear to deliver a bright afternoon, but still felt the aftermath of the weather with mud squelching through their toes as they made their way to and from Northcott Mouth.

By the afternoon, Blenders were relieved to have a well-deserved break at Margaret’s Rustic Tea Garden at Northcott Mouth, where they were served a mountain of cream teas, crisps and hot and cold drinks by the lady herself, before filling their empty buckets from the stream with water to carry back to Bude. Before they set off once again, Margaret donated £20 to the cause.

With their buckets filled, the Blenders were given a pep talk before they made the long journey back to Crooklets beach in Bude. Some treated it as a race, some carried very little water, and some just wanted to get back — but most really pushed themselves both mentally and physically to complete the challenge.

With most buckets filled with five litres of water, four walked barefoot and carried more than five litres, with one Blender saying she would think about this every time she used the shower.

As they made their way down the hill from Maer cliff back to the surf club at Crooklets, Blend leader Jamie was able to reflect on the challenge and how pleased he was of the young people that took part.

He said: “I’m so proud of the effort, the tenacity and the desire to complete this task from all the youth involved that I’m fit to burst.

“You don’t get this sort of level of enthusiasm easily. It really was an experience that could be a turning point in all of the Blenders’ lives — a lesson taught to themselves, by themselves.”

It is thought that through this challenge, the Blenders raised over £400 for WaterAid, the charity that looks to improve water, hygiene and toilet facilities across the world.

Now the Blenders even think they will make this an annual challenge!