May 2024 Newsletter

SPORTident

Alan and Emma from SPORTident UK are looking forward to meeting all the teams in sunny Exeter!

SPORTident UK has been involved in one way or another with the UK Challenge since the very beginning.  Debbie Thompson, one of our team, took part in the first ever UK Challenge in the Trossachs in 1990.  In those days the event was physically very challenging and health/safety was not uppermost in people’s minds!  The night stages were epic journeys through mountain country on foot, by kayak and mountain bike.  Compared with any other sporting event, it required a lot of strategy and fitness to do well.  The modern-day UK Challenge has evolved a long way from the original concept and quite apart from the physical fitness required, it presents multi-dimensional challenges which require all members of the team to contribute and be mentally agile.

SPORTident UK has been delivering a timing/scoring/results solution for the UK Challenge since 2002 when the event was also in Devon, but based at Minehead and visiting Exmoor.  We like to think that our innovative scoring solutions, which have also needed to evolve over time, have afforded Marco Polo amazing freedom to devise complex stages that could only be scored with a smart electronic system.   UK Challenge is by far the most complex event that we work with each year and in our own way we enjoy the challenge, probably as much as you do!

Aside from the UK Challenge we support over 200 other events each year, across a range of sports including Orienteering, Fell Running, Cycling and other multi-sport events. We also sell and hire the SPORTident timing equipment, and our in-house developed software SiTiming which we use for all the events we support including the UK Challenge.

Wintech Sports: Your Bespoke Sportswear Specialists

Since 2005, Wintech Sports has been the go-to supplier for high-quality bespoke sportswear and training wear. We proudly support local sports clubs and schools, ensuring that athletes look and feel their best. Our dedication to excellence extends beyond our borders, as we supply cricket wear and cricket balls to various European national cricket teams.

In addition to our core offerings, we have had the pleasure of collaborating with the UK Challenge since 2018. Our team has been entrusted with producing their distinctive event suits, and more recently, their t-shirts and caps. This partnership has flourished over the years, and we deeply value our relationship with the UK Challenge team.

We wish the UK Challenge continued success in their events and look forward to many more years of crafting their vibrant and unique suits.

At Wintech Sports, we remain committed to providing top-tier sportswear that meets the diverse needs of our clients.

Batten disease is a rare and terminal neurodegenerative disease that causes profound disability in children. It is a fast progressing condition and children lose their sight, their ability to walk, talk and swallow, as well as developing intractable epilepsy and childhood dementia.

The Batten Disease Family Association (BDFA) was set up in 1998 by a group of parents of children with Batten disease. Our mission is to enable children and adults who are affected by Batten disease to live life to the full and to provide families with the care and support they need so that they do not walk this path alone. The BDFA offers informed guidance and support to families and the professionals who work with them, as well as actively raising awareness, and promoting research into the management of Batten disease to improve patient care pathways and ultimately find a cure.

International Batten Disease Awareness Day takes place on the 9^th June and we would love you to get involved with raising awareness when sharing your UK Challenge Fundraiser. Tag us on Instagram @bdfabattendisease and Facebook @Batten Disease Family Association and use the hashtag #BattenDay2024. Thank you!