A six-strong team from the Abergavenny and Brecon offices of NFU Mutual headed for the Lake District recently to take part in the gruelling Coniston Adventure Challenge.

The annual event, in aid of Guide Dogs, consisted of three challenges around Lake Coniston: a 10km hike to the summit of Old Man Coniston, followed by a 12km mountain bike trail through the forests of Grizedale and finally a one mile kayak across Coniston Water.

With glorious weather on their side, the team from Abergavenny, Agent Alan Bugler and his wife Dianne Bugler, Richard Pittman and Maria Watts together with Brecon Agent Mark Simpson and his son Adam Simpson battled through their tough day of challenges in just over 5 hours.

More than one third of the 300 competitors were from NFU Mutual offices across the UK, so there was some great camaraderie during the event.

Maria said, “We decided to take part in the Coniston Challenge as being dog owners ourselves we appreciate what an integral part of life your dogs are, and even more so to someone who depends on their canine companion for help and assistance.

“The event itself was very well organised and a huge amount of fun; we soon forgot about our tired legs when we received our medals and celebrated what the event had achieved.”

After a gruelling day soaking up some beautiful scenery, the NFU Mutual challengers had the opportunity to meet various guide dog owners and hear firsthand about how their efforts will change lives.

Guide Dogs was voted by NFU Mutual staff to be their corporate charity for 2015 and 2016, and colleagues across the UK have raised over £200,000. This will fund one guide dog throughout its life, and over 20 guide dogs puppies in their first year.

The Abergavenny team has raised nearly £1,500 for Guide Dogs from their Coniston Challenge so far, and they would like to thank NFU Mutual, their colleagues, customers, local companies, friends and families for their generous donations.