A SUCCESSFUL company specialising in organising fundraising challenge events for charities has moved to Tockington.

Global Challenge UK has relocated to Elms Farm from it previous base in Somerset because of the Thornbury area's superior road links with the rest of the country.

"We chose Tockington because we needed excellent links to the M4 and M5," said event planning manager Vanessa Bingham.

"We specialise in organising challenge events designed to raise money for charities. Our events are UK-based and we use locations across the whole of the UK and Ireland. We spend a lot of our time travelling to event venues in locations like Snowdonia, the Brecon Beacons and Highlands of Scotland.

"Being in the outdoor business Tockington is ideal for us because it provides the best of both worlds - great access to the motorway system and Bristol but also a picturesque location." Vanessa said that since forming in 1999 they had provided exciting challenge events for many charities including Sightsavers, The Mitchemp Trust, Guide Dogs for the Blind, The Air Ambulance Foundation, the Meningitis Trust and Children's Aid Direct.

"We're delighted to be working with the Air Ambulance Foundation and the Mitchemp Trust once again this year," she said.

"We are also running an open event, the Brecon Challenge 2004, on August 7. There are still places available and we are looking for teams of four people, plus a support driver, to take part.

Charitable organisations can purchase one or more team spaces, setting their own fundraising target which is typically £5,000 per team."

For details of the event, contact Global Challenge UK on 01454 201533, e-mail info@globalchallenge.uk.com or visit their website at www.globalchallenge.uk.com