On Saturday, Team Chapter took on our very first fundraising team event — Born Survivor 2026 — and honestly… we’re still recovering.
What started as a well-intentioned challenge in support of Mental Health Awareness Week quickly turned into clambering over obstacles, hauling each other through mud, plunging into freezing deep deep deep water, losing the occasional shoe, and abandoning any sense of dignity somewhere around obstacle number three.
One memorable quote on the journey there summed up the mood perfectly:
“I’m just worried I’ll break a hip!”
And to be fair… that felt like a very real possibility at several points throughout the course.
We chose to take part during Mental Health Awareness Week because this year’s theme focused on taking action for mental health — and we wanted to do something that genuinely challenged us, physically and mentally.
Safe to say… challenge accepted.
Some of the team entered with injuries, most of us entered with questionable confidence, and all of us left battered, bruised, exhausted and completely covered in mud. But every single person dug deep and kept going.
What got us through wasn’t fitness or grace (definitely not grace). It was grit, encouragement, ridiculous humour, teamwork and the incredible human spirit that appears when people come together for something they truly believe in.
And that’s what made this event so special.
Our team was made up not only of Chapter staff, but also amazing friends and supporters who jumped in almost blind — not necessarily knowing the course, and in some cases not even knowing everyone involved — but willing to show up anyway and stand alongside us.
Massive shoutout to Anna, Joel, Drew and Rich for throwing themselves into the chaos with full commitment and good humour throughout.
Born Survivor pushed every one of us out of our comfort zone, but it also reminded us why community matters so much. Mental health challenges can feel isolating, overwhelming and relentless at times — but support, connection and people beside you can make all the difference.
So far, together, we’ve raised an incredible £1,447 for local mental health support 💛
But after everything our knees, backs and dignity have endured… we definitely feel our efforts are worthy of a little more support if anyone would like to help our bruised and broken recovery fund.
https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/chapter-born-survivor
Most importantly, this event showed exactly what can happen when people step up, dig deep and stand strong together for something they care about.
And despite the mud… we’d probably do it all again.
Feeling inspired?
Why not join us this July…Get ready to jump, bounce, slide and swing through the World’s BIGGEST and CRAZIEST Inflatable 5k Obstacle Course for positive mental health!
Find out more here