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The magazine of the art-form of the photo-essay “A free, really high quality photo-essay magazine.  Fabulous!” Stephen Fry. British actor, writer and film & documentary maker
Oct 2014 back issue
by Sam Branson
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It had all started with a belief. That by setting yourself goals and Striving to achieve them, you learn the life attributes you need to thrive. Attributes like emotional resilience, teamwork, communication and overcoming fears. My cousin, Noah, and I wanted to come up with an idea that gave people the opportunity to experience this kind of learning and raise funds to support projects that promote these crucial life skills to children all over the UK.  These skills are vitally important to the next generation and we want them to be taught more in schools and become a valued part of a child’s education. And we thought what better way to raise money and to promote those life skills than by putting our idea to the test - that’s why we came up the Virgin Strive Challenge. This epic adventure saw a core team of us go from London to the peak of the Matterhorn entirely under human power.
We started at London’s O2 Arena. Just before the Virgin Strive Challenge core team and other participants set off for 3 back to back marathons, from London to Dover. I couldn’t resist capturing the moment.
End of day one. Exhausted, exhilarated and I have to admit, a little broken but already getting myself ready for the next challenge in the morning.
The essence of The Virgin Strive Challenge is to set goals for yourself and do everything you possibly can to achieve them. Even if you don’t succeed in that goal, the amount of self-worth, learning and enjoyment of the journey you will go through will make it worthwhile.
Running three marathons, cycling hundreds of miles and walking for days will do wonders for your stamina but destroy your feet!!!  I will spare you the many blister popping pictures that I have.
I love this fish eye shot by Finn Harries. It was taken at the end of our day two cycle leg in France.
Heading towards the Champagne region and in need of refuelling!
Idyllic breakfast setting - with just a touch of the surreal due to the Bond car.
The teamwork is what gets you through the tough times and life long bonds are formed through the experience.
Different perspectives in the same frame. Kind of reminds me of Dennis Hopper’s amazing shot.
Some of the views were breathtaking, although understandably I didn’t take in as much as I would have liked!
Nice peloton team@!
Good encouragement from our support team!
Some incredible scenery. I love how this quaint town sits under such beautiful mountains.
If you can’t push yourself when surrounded by such amazing beauty, I don’t know when you can.
The Alps. Wow, just wow.
Was a huge climb that day, dodging falling boulders, just to add to the mix.
The most beautiful mountain pass I have ever seen!
Beautiful.
Digging really deep to get to the summit. Altitude sickness didn’t help but we did it, and what an epic ending to an epic challenge for Big Change!
The Swiss mountains!  Loved the feel of foreboding.
Just an eerie reminder that this wasn't the safest place in the world.
Saw some incredible things on the hike. This was taken as we entered into St Nicolas' Valley.
There she is!
The beauty was defo a nice distraction from the sore legs and lungs!
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