Overview
Westminster Challenge was created in 2006 to engage Members of Parliament in the work of UK charities and to fundraise on their behalf. The organisation will act as a link between the political and charitable worlds, promoting the work of each with the other and the general public.

Aims of Westminster Challenge
There are two principal aims of Westminster Challenge:

1. To engage Members of both Houses of Parliament (and others involved in British political life) in the work of charities and vice versa;
2. To raise significant funds for distribution to a range of British charities.

Supporting the Work of UK Charities
The work of Westminster Challenge will support three main charities for the duration of this Parliament; Crimestoppers, The Children’s Society and Cancer Research UK. Each MP participating on ‘The Westminster Arctic Challenge’ expedition will also nominate a local charity to benefit from their work.

The Westminster Arctic Challenge
In February 2007, a cross-party team of Members of Parliament will travel across the Arctic wilderness through Finland, Sweden and Norway by husky dog sled. The MP team consists of;Emily Thornberry (Lab), Ed Vaizey (Con), Tobias Ellwood (Con), Nick Clegg (LD), Jenny Willott (LD).

It is the aim of Westminster Challenge to arrange an expedition every two years and hope to include, on average, two challenges during each Parliament with a new team of MPs participating in each challenge.

Carbon Neutral
Westminster Challenge is committed to working with the environment. The Arctic Challenge team will witness the devastating effect that global warming is having during this expedition and investigate its impact firsthand. The team will see the damage that has been done to the beautiful but fragile environment of the Arctic as they develop a new understanding and gather vital information to allow them to champion environmental issues on their return.

The need to make the Arctic Challenge carbon neutral has been at the centre of Westminster Challenge’s planning process since preparations for the trip began. Each member of the team is absolutely dedicated to limiting the environmental impact of the expedition and that is why this trip will be carbon neutral.

Charity Registration
The Westminster Challenge is incorporated as a company limited by guarantee in England & Wales, No. 5773062, and is a registered charity, No. 1117773.

Supporters of Westminster Challenge
Westminster Challenge has gained support from across the political divide. The Prime Minister, and the leaders of the Conservative and Liberal Democrat parties have all pledged their support along with a number other members of both Houses of Parliament.

Events

A number of events have been planned by Westminster Challenge to raise awareness and to fundraise for our charity partners.

• 18th November 2006 Pub Quiz held at The Mint

• 21st November 2006 Nick Clegg MP visit to Crimestoppers

• 22nd November 2006 Sir Simon Milton’s reception to officially launch the Westminster Arctic Challenge

• 11th December 2006 Emily Thornberry MP attends the Stand By Me Children’s Society campaign launch in Trafalgar Square

• 10th January 2007 RAF fitness assessment to be attended by Tobias Ellwood, Emily Thornberry, Ed Vaizey, and Jenny Willott

• 11th January 2007 Ed Vaizey MP visit to Crimestoppers

• 20th January 2007 Inter-Party Paintball Tournament.

• 30th January 2007 Meal to be hosted by Lord Ashcroft KCMG at Pomegranates restaurant.

• 9 – 16 February 2007 The Westminster Arctic Challenge

• 19th February 2007Welcome Back Reception hosted by HE Vygaudas Usackas

• 21st February 2007 Westminster Challenge: Next Generation talk. “The Great Wall of China Challenge 2008”