Children’s cancer charity Kidscan is hosting the event with the hope of raising money to invest into alternative treatment research.

Titled ‘LOST’, the fundraiser involves sponsored groups of three being driven in a blacked out coach to an unknown location in the UK, with a race against time for them to ‘blag’ their way back.

Armed with no money, prior knowledge of the location or survival equipment, its up to each team to find creative ways of solving a scavenger hunt and returning to Salford within 24 hours. The fastest team, most creative team and highest fund-raising team will each win a prize.

The event is due to take place on November 12th 2022.

Kirsty Leigh, Head of Marketing and Operations at Kidscan, said: “We wanted to do something a bit more out there that students and people can get involved in and have fun whilst doing it.

“COVID hit us quite hard and this is the first time we’ve managed to get back out and do challenges. Its allowed us to start investing in more research. Currently, only 3.5% of money that’s spent on research is dedicated to children, so the more we can donate, the better.”

The charity, based at Salford University campus, works to provide alternative medical treatments to children suffering with cancer. Leigh continued: “At the moment, children are given treatment like chemotherapy but, whilst it’s good at treating the cancer, it causes damage to children’s bodies. Later effects can include hearing loss, bone loss, organ damage, infertility. Even though the cancer’s cured, all these effects can come later in life.

“What we do is find treatments that don’t cause that damage and they can get through cancer and live healthy lives.”

The fundraiser is targeted mainly at students but is open to the wider public in groups of three.

Previously, Kidscan and other University-based charities have run the ‘JAILBREAK’ initiative, whereby contestants must get as far away from a starting location as possible. Successful participants have acquired free tickets to the likes of Dubai and Hong Kong.

Previous contestants in Hong Kong. image used with permission from Kirsty Leigh

It cost £10 to sign up for LOST, with each contestant asked to raise around £150 in sponsorship money. Entries are open until mid-October, with the event due to to take place on November 12th.

For more information, visit the LOST website.

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