Do a National Challenge to show you believe in children
Ah, you're a person after my own heart - a fellow outdoor type. Well we've got miles and miles of the UK for you to explore on foot or even by parachute!
No matter how far you run, paddle or fall, your own sense of personal achievement will, I can guarantee, be matched with a personal sense of pride that you're helping to change young lives. Each challenge is graded according to difficulty with 1 being the easiest. Whichever you choose, it's a win, win situation!
BUPA London 10,000
Date: 31 May 2010 / Location: London / Reg. fee: £25 / Min. sponsorship: £275
Don't fancy the marathon just yet? Or perhaps you've already done it, and just want to experience a shorter race around some of the most famous parts of the capital. Either way, this new 10km race is already one of the most popular races in the running calendar so don't miss out!

Virgin London Marathon 2010
Date: 25 April 2010 / Location: London / Reg. fee: £50 / Min. sponsorship: £1600
Put your best foot forward, then your other one - and keep going for 26 and a bit miles. Join one of the biggest and most fun marathons in the world. Go on, we'll be there cheering you on!

BUPA Great South Run 2009
Date: 25 October 2009 / Location: Southsea, Portsmouth / Reg. fee: £35 / Min. sponsorship: £200
Join the madding crowds and sign yourself up for Portsmouth's much-loved and exhilarating Great South Run. Tell your feet that it's only 10 miles to the beach and you'll be there in no time.

Cardiff Half Marathon 2009
Date: 18 October 2009 / Location: Cardiff / Reg. fee: £24 or £26
The Cardiff Half Marathon is rapidly becoming one of the top events of the autumn running calendar. The course takes you past Cardiff's most beautiful landmarks and is flat and fast, making it a perfect opportunity to beat that personal best!

Royal Parks Half Marathon 2009
Date: 11 October 2009 / Location: London / Reg. fee: £50 / Min. sponsorship: £400
Starting and finishing in Hyde Park, this brand new half marathon event winds through the four Royal Parks of central London, and takes in some of the capital's most iconic landmarks. This whirlwind sight-seeing tour promises to be one of the most memorable events in the running calendar.

Loch Ness Marathon 2009
Date: 04 October 2009 / Location: Loch Ness / Reg. fee: £37 / Min. sponsorship: £400
Here's two crucial questions you have to ask yourself before signing up to this event: can you run 26 miles in one day? And will Nessy be there to cheer you on? Clearly there's only one way to find out.

BUPA Great North Run 2009
Date: 20 September 2009 / Location: Newcastle / Reg. fee: £50 / Min. sponsorship: £350
Sign up for one of the biggest runs on the calendar. This hilly half marathon comes complete with a great big northern welcome. Head to the Angel of the North and feel the love.

Cairngorm Challenge
Date: 29 August 2009 / Location: Cairngorm National Park / Reg. fee: £100 per person / Min. sponsorship: £400 per person
This year the Cairngorm Challenge is back and it's bigger and better than ever! This year, Barnardo's are offering 3 routes - Bronze, Silver and Gold, ranging from a 15km hike to an 80km hike and bike combination.

Northern Rock Cyclone Challenge 2009
Date: 13 June 2009 / Location: Northumberland / Reg. fee: £10 or £20
Northern Rock Cyclone Challenge rides are now recognised as some of the premier cycling events in the UK. If you want to test your fitness and set yourself a personal challenge, read on to see how you could enter one of three different distance events in the beautiful Northumbrian countryside.

Parachute jumping
Date: Various dates / Location: UK / Reg. fee: £70 / Min. sponsorship: £395
Set your sights sky high and do a parachute jump! And when you're falling fast towards the ground, just keep repeating 'It's for the kids. It's for the kids'. Obviously, don't forget to pull your ripcord.

Coast to Coast Eco Challenge
Date: Various Dates / Location: Scotland / Reg. fee: £175 / Min. sponsorship: £995
An amazing trek winding through remote areas of the Highlands of Scotland, this challenge takes you from the East to the West Coast, through a spectacular landscape of glens and hill lochs.



