Crawley based Varian Medical Systems is leading the way in workplace health by encouraging its employees to enter a new adventure race called 24seven Challenge.

The company has entered two teams, Varian Fit and Varian Fit Too, to take on the 24-hour challenge in a month’s time in the Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire (insert date). 

They will go head to head over seven different physical and mental activities including covering a marathon distance (26.2 miles) using a bike, canoe and on foot, whilst undertaking several navigation and problem solving tasks.  Think Krypton Factor for the new millennium!

The employees of Varian Medical Systems; the world's leading manufacturer of medical devices and software for treating cancer and other medical conditions, decided to take on the challenge as the event is being organised by the company’s official charity for 2008, CLIC Sargent. 

CLIC Sargent, the UK’s leading children’s cancer charity, is staging the event to raise money to provide all-round care and support for children and young people with cancer, and their families. 

Rebecca Vetori, age 29, a Applications Specialist at Varian, and the only female member in the two teams, said, “We have had friends and family touched by cancer so we wanted to take part.  The mix of physical and mental tasks was also appealing and we are all fairly active so we were looking for an event to enter.”

Both Varian teams are determined to be the fittest and perform the best on the day.

Lisa continued, “We’ve been training together; some of us are going to go on a canoe course. We’ve even been doing night runs to practice and been on cycling trips together as well. We’re really looking forward to being outdoors and camping.”

“We are really excited now the event is only a month away!  I feel ready for it now.  I want to get it over with but am definitely looking forward to it.” 

When asked who would fare the best on the day Lisa said, “Varian Fit Too is going to beat Varian Fit because we are fitter.”

To which Physicist Andrew Bebb, age 32, from Varian Fit replied, “It remains to be seen who will win!”

The Varian employees will be taking on other corporate teams which have taken up the 24seven Challenge.  Lisa added, “We couldn’t have done this without the help of Varian. The company has donated £900 to the charity and given us kits, black jackets, shorts etc all branded with the company’s name.”

Beverley MacKenzie, Challenges Manager at CLIC Sargent said, “We are thrilled that companies such as Varian are getting behind this event and supporting their members of staff that wish to take part.”

Beverley continued, “24seven has a broad appeal and is not just about who is the fittest; general endurance, stamina and resolve will be the order of the day.  Taking part will undoubtedly be a genuine physical challenge, but every task will allow those with more limited skill and fitness levels to take part.  Mental dexterity, careful planning and smart thinking will count for just as much as how fit you are.”