North Downs Specialist Referrals takes on the Route 66 virtual challenge

North Downs Specialist Referrals (NDSR), a centre for specialist veterinary care based in Bletchingley, is gearing up to take on the Route 66 virtual challenge this April to raise money for charity.

The specialist team will work together to take on the 2,280-mile road trip to raise funds for Kent based charity, Last Chance Animal Rescue.

The charity, which is close to the hearts of the NDSR team, is a registered rescue organisation which aims to rescue and re-home unwanted and abandoned animals.

Nicola Kulendra, NDSR’s European specialist in small animal surgery, explained that taking on the Route 66 virtual challenge was part of the centre’s wider commitment as members of the Investors in the Environment (iiE) scheme, which focuses not just on the environment, but also on the health and mental wellbeing of people.

Each member of the team will record each time they complete a distance-based exercise, such as running, walking, cycling or swimming, to add to the distance travelled along the virtual map of Route 66. On completion of the challenge, the team will celebrate with a limited-edition Route 66 Virtual Challenge finisher’s medal for their efforts.

Nicola said, “As a company we have always looked at ways in which we could come together and foster team camaraderie, which in lockdown has not been the easiest to do. Being outdoors and connecting with nature is so important and can be a real mood lifter, especially with everything going on currently.

“Route 66 is an ideal challenge that allows us to safely rally the team together towards a common goal and is a great motivator to get us out and interacting with nature even more.

“We all have different levels of exercise tolerance but I am confident that together we can smash the target in no time. The beauty of this challenge is that it allows everyone involved to just give their best and that’s what we all aim to do.”

To donate to the NDSR team, please visit their Just Giving page here.

Visit the North Downs Specialist Referrals website here or search for North Downs Specialist Referrals on social media for more information.

Read more articles on NDSR here.