We completed the MK Can Quest!
On 16th October 2024, four of our team members showed up to support MK Food Bank's latest event, helping them raise funds and donations for the crucial winter season.
Following the success of MK Can, where we and several other businesses and communities in Milton Keynes created the world's longest line of food cans (and received the Guinness World Record to prove it!), this new challenge saw us back in Campbell Park, precisely one year later for a brand new mission: to gain as many points as possible.
Following a 7.6km route, the quest consisted of 8 challenge points around the park, with both physical and mental challenges to complete along the way. For Team UKPT – as we called ourselves – that started at the Chain Reaction sculpture.
Our route
The Teams
Meeting at Chain Reaction, we got to take in the vast amount of teams that had signed up for the challenge (and that was only ONE starting point out of four!)
Over 50 businesses and groups joined to test their wits in total, truly exceeding expectations. Together, we really put the FUN in fundraiser! Here are just a handful of them.
Can you spot your business?
The Challenges
Shoutout to the organisers for being so creative with the challenges – they were pretty tough! Here were the locations where the main challenges took place: all iconic to Milton Keynes.
- Chain Reaction: Although it was our starting point, we saved this one until last, marking the end of our course. The task involved tying a fireman's knot on a rope that would be used to climb up buildings.
- Cricket Pitch: A 'The Floor is Lava '-style challenge with teams lined up, each with a piece of foam to step on, passing them forward until they reach the finish line – with only 4 chances to do so. Safe to say, we needed a bit more practice with our balance!
- Canalside: One team member is blindfolded while another directs them to tip a can into a crate. Easy enough. Until the words 'left, right. forward' etc. become the names of foods. We never looked so confused by the word 'sweetcorn'.
- Crossroads: The first mental challenge involved lots of mathematical puzzles, which took me straight to head-scratching mode (Maths was never my strong suit). Luckily, I had team members who knew what they were doing. Phew!
- Amphitheatre: Picture yourself racing down a hill, two to a team, but in a can costume. Yep... it was laughs all around for this challenge! (Kicking ourselves we didn't get a photo).
- Light Beacon: For the next mental challenge, we had to decipher various facts about Milton Keynes and its almost 60-year history. Some were made up of anagrams. Some questions were given by the volunteers. Answers included The Stables, Greg Rutherford, Deli Ali, and more.
- The Rose: This task had us read every pillar at The Rose. Given clues, we had to find the relevant pillar to the clue. E.g. 'Access for all' = 'International Day of Persons with Disabilities'. But it didn't end there. Next, we had to note down a couple of letters from the answer (e.g. letters 2 & 3). This gave us the phrase 'LONGEST LINE OF CANS'.
- Labyrinth: The final challenge was a twisty trail beginning with balancing a bean bag on your head (harder than it sounds), proceeding to an egg and spoon-type race (but with a ball), and finally, creating a circle out of food cans with your team.
Tackling the Canalside task
With our brains in gear for the Chain Reaction task
Along the route, teams could also complete side quests. These included spotting the hidden food cans on the trail (including a golden can), taking a team selfie at the location of your spot in line for MK Can, and snapping photos of anything yellow.
There was even a task to take pictures of 4 other teams – which made a great excuse for everyone to mingle.
Pre-Quest Challenges
There were also challenges that some took part in before the event. These were optional but would gain teams who completed them extra points.
Us with our food donation!
- Food collection: For 5 bonus points, teams collected 50+ food items for MK Food Bank's Winter Appeal and brought a photo of their team with their donation to the quest.
- Can rhyme: Teams took photos of objects that rhyme with the word 'can' and brought them on the day for 5 additional points.
- Outfit bonus: Teams gained 5 bonus points for showing up in matching branded clothing or fancy dress (of course, we had to sport our UK Planet Tools fleeces for this!)
The Celebration
At the end of it all, we were pleased to finally wind down at Midsummer Tap, where we joined the rest of the teams for some pizza and drinks at the MK Can Quest Awards Ceremony.
And the winner was... Team Facilities Management Solutions! Massive congratulations to them for taking home the Golden Trophy.
As for us, we were just happy to take home our Certificate of Participation after a long and challenging day.
Go, us! Team UKPT's Certificate of Participation
So, what big challenge will they give us next year? We'll just have to wait and see! For now, we're proud to have been part of another of MK Food Bank's successful fundraisers.
MK Food Bank Winter Campaigns 2024
While it was a day all in good fun, the reality is that for many, this winter won't be. Not without our help.
For those in food poverty, a food bank is the difference between staying warm with a hot meal and going to bed cold and hungry. As a community, it's our job to ensure food banks stay supplied to meet the growing demand that comes with the cold weather. Particularly at Christmas, which can be a time of increased financial hardship for many.
At the MK Can Quest Awards Ceremony, we were introduced to their latest appeals, hoping to gain your support:
- Food Parcel Challenge: Could you live on basic rations for 4 days? This challenge invites you to temporarily swap your usual diet of festive treats for a food parcel.
- Reverse Advent: It's back! Just as they did last year, MK Food Bank is asking you to create a festive food parcel, decorated how you like and filled with essential food items and Christmassy goodies.
If you're interested in supporting either of these campaigns, please head to mkfoodbank.org.uk for more information. Thank you!
