The virtual challenge was to travel the distance of 5,331 miles from Compton, Wolverhampton to Compton, California by either running, cycling, rowing or walking – and to complete the collective journey within the month of May.
The targets for both journey time and distance were smashed, women’s team manager Dan McNamara reporting that the challenge was completed by 25th May and with a total of over 8,500 miles travelled.
Most importantly, the fundraising target of £5,000 was also smashed thanks in part to a generous donation from express parcel delivery company DPD, among whose employees at the company’s Smethwick location are Wolves team mates Amy ‘Dicko’ Dicken and Summer Holmes.
Attacking midfielder Dicken said: “The company gives a lot of support to charities and we are encouraged at work to mention any fund raising events we are taking part in and that they might help with.
“So, I emailed our marketing team to tell them about the Compton to Compton challenge, and after it had been discussed at a board meeting the company agreed to price-match the amount we raised up to £5,000. It was a fabulous gesture and it really boosted our efforts to complete the challenge.”
Dicken and Holmes, who are near neighbours in Sedgley, played their part in the challenge along with the rest of the Wolves Women’s senior team, the development team and the FA Regional Talent Club (under-10s to under-16s), plus manager McNamara and all of his backroom staff.
As well as raising vital funds for Compton Care the challenge kept everyone involved in close (virtual!) contact and helped maintain fitness levels, the latter being of particular benefit to long term knee injury victim Holmes.
The central midfielder’s ACL and meniscus problems not only restricted her to just two games in the season that was recently ended due to the coronavirus, but also led to three operations in order to aid her recovery.
“It’s been a difficult and frustrating time,” said Holmes, “but I’ve had lots of support from Wolves in my rehab, and taking part in the challenge was a boost and very enjoyable. Dicko and me went on long bike rides and, because cycling has no impact on the knee, the miles we did certainly got my fitness levels up.”
That combination of enjoyment, fitness and group togetherness underpinned the challenge that was successfully completed, to the delight of manager McNamara. “It was a great effort by everyone concerned,” he said.
“The challenge brought our whole club together at a difficult time. It gave the girls something to focus on, and the camaraderie we’ve always had as a group has been strengthened through the support we’ve been giving each other.
“And of course it’s been great to help Compton Care with their fundraising efforts. As a club we have a genuine feeling for the organisation and the fantastic work they do throughout the community across the city.”
