Sign your LJMU team up to a triathlon in support of Claire House

Claire House Children's Hospice, one of our university charity partners, is joining forces with other children’s charities in our region to raise vital funds through the Yr Wyddfa Challenge – a triathlon event in Snowdonia.

As part of our staff engagement and wellbeing offer, we are paying the entry free for 10 teams of four to take part in the challenge and we will support fundraising events and team training opportunities in collaboration with Student Living & Physical Activity colleagues over the summer months.

Set within the Snowdonia mountains in North Wales, the Yr Wyddfa Challenge tests teams of four to complete a 15km hike, 15km cycle and a 3k kayak.

The challenge will take place on Saturday 12 September, so there’s still plenty of time to train and bond with your teammates.

LJMU will cover the £100 registration fee for each team. By signing up, you and your team will pledge to raise a minimum of £2,000 (£500 per person) in sponsorship, with 50% of the sponsorship to be raised by mid-August (one month before the challenge) and the full amount due by Monday 12 October (one month after completion of the challenge).

Our Student Living & Physical Activity colleagues will provide a general training programme for all participants to ensure that you will be as prepared for the event as possible. They will also arrange and support a series of fundraising activities on campus over the summer, simulating parts of the event, encouraging donations and promoting the amazing work of Claire House.  

Register your team

Please select your team and nominate a team captain to complete the sign-up form by no later than 5pm on Friday 19 June.

Captains will then be asked to share further team information in line with the event organiser’s registration requirements and become the main point of contact for further event information.

Register your team

Any individuals looking for a team can email Liz Cousins in HR to help with buddying you up. Any other queries about the challenge can also be directed to Liz.

How the fundraising will support the hospice

At the end of 2026, Claire House Children’s Hospice will close its Honey’s Green Lane site in Liverpool as they begin the build for their second children’s hospice.

This is an ambitious but vital development which will break down barriers to accessing care and mean that families can get enhanced support across the hospice’s two locations in Liverpool and Wirral.

In Liverpool, demand is growing at a greater rate than the rest of Claire House's catchment area; 60% of referrals are currently from Liverpool and surrounding areas. Claire House's caseload will also continue to grow, and they expect 80% of that growth to be from Liverpool and surrounding areas. Two thirds of the deaths Claire House support are from Liverpool and beyond, a figure that is also set to increase. With your support, Claire House can build a full children’s hospice our community so desperately needs and deserves.

Team LJMU’s fundraising will help directly fund the new end of life care facilities at the Liverpool Hospice. Our Specialist Palliative Care team provides compassionate, personalised, 24/7 end‑of‑life care and expert symptom management to babies, children and young people as they approach the end of their life. Alongside this, Claire House offers vital emotional and practical support to families during an incredibly challenging time.

We support families to create meaningful final memories together and ensure that these precious days and moments are surrounded by love, comfort and dignity, while walking alongside them through the most difficult time imaginable.

All challenge participants will be invited to visit the Claire House Liverpool site over the summer - to meet key staff, see plans for the new end of life facilities and to learn about how the sponsorship will support the upcoming redevelopment works.

More information about the challenge and support for LJMU participants

Key dates for the challenge

• Date TBC – Online safety briefing
• Before event day, all participants will be required to watch a pre-recorded safety briefing. This will cover everything you need to know to stay safe and informed, and you’ll also have the opportunity to submit any questions to our event team.
• Friday 11 September – Registration Day. Head to the event base in Llanberis to check in, collect your race pack and event t-shirt, and drop off your bags ready for the big day. There will also be registration on the morning of the event for anyone that cannot attend the Friday evening. Saturday registration takes place between 6am and 6.30am.
• Saturday 12 September – Challenge Day. Teams will set off at staggered start times to tackle all three parts of the challenge together.

How long does the challenge take to complete?

Most teams finish within 7 to 10 hours, depending on pace and conditions.

What’s included in the event package?

• Comprehensive safety briefing
• Meals on Challenge Day: breakfast, lunch, and dinner
• Kayaking gear (paddles and life jackets)
• On-site bike mechanics
• Optional bike hire (additional fee)
• Secure bike storage and racks
• Clearly marked changeover stations
• Qualified marshals along the route
• First aid support
• Event t-shirt
• Finisher’s medal
• Team awards
• Professionally produced event video

What’s not included?

Accommodation – If you and your team wish to stay in North Wales the night before or after the event, the event organisers will share recommended options in Llanberis, Bangor, and Caernarfon once your team is registered, with options to suit all budgets.

Travel – Getting to and from the event is your responsibility.

While LJMU is covering the registration fee for each of the 10 LJMU teams, any further costs associated with participation in the challenge will need to be covered by participants themselves.

Do I need to train for the event?

The challenge is not to be underestimated and increasing your general level of fitness before the event through cycling, walking and aerobic exercises will help you with event preparation.

You will be offered a general training programme by our Student Living & Physical Activity colleagues to help you to prepare for the challenge.

Where does the event start and finish?

The challenge begins and ends at the event hub in Parc Padarn, Llanberis. Full location details will be provided after registration.

What kind of bike should I bring?

It is recommended that you bring a road or hybrid bike for the on-road cycling route. Mountain bikes are allowed, especially if that’s what you’ve trained on, but they may not be ideal for the terrain.

Can I use an e-bike?

Yes, e-bikes are welcome. Just note that teams using e-bikes won’t be eligible for fastest finisher awards to keep things fair.

How do I arrange bike hire?

Once you’re signed up, you’ll have the option to request bike hire through the event organisers. This comes at an extra cost and includes:

• Bike for event use
• Helmet
• Delivery and collection
• Setup support at registration
• Overnight secure storage
• Mechanic support on event day

What if the weather is bad?

The event will go ahead in most weather conditions. If needed, there are alternative mountain and paddle routes ready to ensure safety while keeping the challenge spirit alive.

Will we get help with fundraising?

You won’t be doing this alone – our contacts at Claire House Children’s Hospice and the event team will support your team with ideas, resources and plenty of encouragement along the way.

Our Student Living & Physical Activity colleagues will also arrange and support a series of fundraising activities on campus over the summer with opportunities to meet and engage with Claire House staff and those supported by their work.