PLEASE CHECK OUT THE NEW PHOTO'S OF MATTHEW'S AMAZING DAY!

Matthew did it!

Not only did he complete the challenge but he came in 3rd out of his group of 100! Wow! 

Matt's day started at 04.30am...we didn't need an alarm, the syncronised chattering of our teeth was enough to keep us awake most of the night. By 05.00am 'Chariots of Fire' music was blasting out of speakers and Matthew was outside grooving to the occasion. We headed to the moor at 06.00am to be greeted by a Scots Guard Piper....stirring stuff!

A bugler announced the start of the Jubilee Challenge and Matthew along with about 200 others hit the track.

...And there was no stopping him,Stewart and I were picturing a break for lunch but Matthew was so excited about reaching the finishing line (as he knew he would be cheered and clapped) he just didn't want to stop!

When we finally reached the finish at Okehampton Army Camp, he zoomed ahead leaving us behind as if he'd been jet propelled...it was so lovely we did have to laugh. 

This is the furthest Matthew has ever walked and he lapped up every moment, particularly having his special soldier David shadow him throughout...he felt like a VIP.

THANK YOU EVERY ONE FOR ALL YOUR FABULOUS SUPPORT FOR MATTHEW'S CHALLENGE...IT MEANS SO MUCH!

There is also a video of Matthew's day on You Tube the link is http://youtu.be/iEGV5tWJrf8  or you might get it typing in Matthew's Jubilee Challenge

We would love you to support Matthew in his challenge to complete the Jubilee Challenge trek across Dartmoor on the 12th May 2012. Matthews Challenge also involves pitching his tent and camping at the Okehampton Army Camp on the night before the event and cooking dinner and breakfast for himself (and hopefully Mum and Dad!) In the morning he will be woken by the Army bugler followed by "Chariots of Fire" music and Tina Turner "Simply the Best". After scrutineering the 12.1 km challenge begins at 07.30am. Participants have to walk a specified route(with the aid of a map) which involves several checkpoints where they will need to have their time card stamped. Matthew will be accompanied by a soldier throughout the challenge plus his Mum and Dad.

The Jubilee Challenge offers a tough test for people who meet challenges every day of their lives. Jubilee Challenge entrants take on routes of up to 15 miles across the North Moor, sharing the same pressures, achievements - and weather - as the Ten Tors Teams!
The Jubilee Challenge What is the Jubilee Challenge? The Jubilee Challenge is a trekking expedition on northern Dartmoor designed specifically for young people with special needs, both physical and educational. Incorporated within Ten Tors in 1977 as the Special Event, it was renamed the Jubilee Challenge in 1996. Both the Ten Tors Main Event and the Jubilee Challenge have developed into popular events, with teams from learning disability organisations based in the seven Counties of the West Country participating in the Jubilee Challenge. It is organised and run by the members of Exeter University Officer Training Corps (volunteer undergraduate officer cadets who are members of either Exeter or Plymouth Universities) on behalf of 43(Wessex) Brigade, the sponsors of the Ten Tors Event. Together with Ten Tors, it attracts considerable media and public attention. Numerous VIPs also attend and are willing volunteers to hand out medals at two moving prize giving ceremonies held after the Event is completed. What does the Event Involve? There are usually between 250 and 300 participants involved in the Jubilee Challenge each year. Participants enter the event as a member of a team or as an individual, they are required to trek and navigate across northern Dartmoor along a pre-determined route. The event runs over the first day of the Ten Tors Main Event. It begins on the Saturday at 7:30 am at a start point near to the Ten Tors Main Event massed start and the course closes at 18:00. There are 4 different routes to choose from. Team Managers are required to discuss with the individual participants which route best matches their specific capabilities, age and experience. Individually named certificates are awarded to all participants. Especially commissioned Ten Tors Medals are also awarded to all participants who complete the course: bronze for first timers, silver for second timers, and gold for those completing one of the Jubilee Challenge routes for at least a third time. Selected VIPs will present these medals at one of two special prize-giving ceremonies held in Okehampton Camp on the day of the event. Moor House School has played such a huge part in Matthew's life over the past five years, giving so much love and care to Matthew on his fabulous journey through life. We would like to raise funds for Moor House School so that they may continue to offer the best and most advanced therapy to students with communication and language disorders. Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer. So it’s the most efficient way to donate - I raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the charity. So please dig deep and donate now.