After 8 weeks of early starts CACTUS had their longest day last Saturday.

Several of our students participated in the programme this term, one having already completed it but enjoyed it so much asked to do it again.

Although it was hot the participants did incredibly well, biking, running, carrying stretchers up Mt Vernon along with other activities. The highlight was finishing off by pulling a Fire Engine through town.

From day one, to the finish of the programme, huge improvements were seen in self-confidence, fitness levels and building a connection, and the ability to connect into other things we do, events and other activities.

CACTUS challenges participants mentally as well as physically, improving their resilience while building skills they can use later in life.  It’s quite powerful on the CV as well.

One participant said that they enjoyed the teamwork aspect of the CACTUS course and felt they’d developed the skills they were seeking, allowing them to work confidently in a team environment.  They were impressed with how fit they had become, said it was easy to do as there was a timetable to which they were all working and the training was structured.

Well done to our students and particularly to Sarai Puna who was awarded the Cactus Cup!