Wandsworth Resident Takes On Olympic Sport Gold Challenge


Thomas Bugimbi will raise money for the Red Cross as he trains in Olympic sports

With less than a year to go until the Olympic and Paralympic Games, Gold Challenge is the way for the whole country to get involved and join in with London 2012.  The new charity challenge, partnered with Team GB and British Olympic Association, challenges participants to take on Olympic and Paralympic sports to raise money for one of its 130 charity partners.

Wandsworth resident, Thomas Bugimbi, is taking on the Olympic Sport Gold Challenge. Over the coming months Thomas will be busy training and being coached in his selected Olympic sports, in order to raise as much money as possible for his chosen charity, British Red Cross. This is a charity very close to Thomas’ heart as he was born and raised in Uganda until the age of 16, and during his time at primary school he often saw the Red Cross staff and vehicles.  He says, “The Gold Challenge is a great opportunity to give back to the Red Cross Society. During my school days they freely immunised against epidemic outbreaks and killer diseases such as Malaria and also taught us and gave us biscuits. Back in those days I didn’t like the needles, but now I’m so grateful!”

Thomas has chosen to take on basketball, football, volleyball, rowing and swimming.  He has already completed 2 hours of his basketball and is in the process of completing his cycling, he will be looking to complete the rest of the sports before the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games. 

Thomas said, "Taking part in the Gold challenge has so far challenged me to keep up my promises, and also to rise up above the norm and be bold. To fundraise I bought Krispy Kreme Doughnuts for my work colleagues and sent an email around the unit with a link asking them to visit my Gold Challenge page!"

Challengers sign up to Gold Challenge for free and choose their challenge or create their own from the 30 Olympic and Paralympic sports on offer.

There are over 130 UK charity partners including Golden charity partners, Cancer Research UK, NSPCC, Scope, Right to Play and Oxfam.

Gold Challenge is an independent, not-for-profit organisation and works with the British Olympic Association, Sport England, sportscotland, Sport Wales, ParalympicsGB and the National Governing Bodies of the Olympic and Paralympic sports. 

September 24, 2011