November 07, 2022 | University Partners

University of Wolverhampton School of Sport receives recognition award from UK charity

The University of Wolverhampton’s School of Sport has received an award from Walkoncemore for supporting charity fundraisers.

Earlier this year, two runners competed in Marathon des Sables to race across the world’s largest hot desert to raise funds for spinal cord injury charity, Walkoncemore.

In preparation for their challenge, fundraisers James and Greg reached out to Dr Ross Cloak, Associate Professor in Sport and Exercise Science at the University to train the state-of-the-art environmental chamber at the University’s Walsall campus.

The environmental chamber enabled James and Greg to precisely control the temperature, humidity and altitude while training for the race to help prepare for tackling the heat in the Sahara desert.

This week, Dr Ross Cloak received a surprise award in recognition for supporting the fundraisers and the charity.

Dr Ross Cloak, said: “It was such a surprise to receive the award from Walkoncemore. It was a pleasure to support James and Greg as they prepared for the challenge, raising money for such a fantastic cause.

“Here at the School of Sport, we were more than happy to get involved and are very honoured to have received this generous token of appreciation.”

Jennifer Mellis, Trustee at Walkoncemore said: "The guidance and support offered to our fundraisers, James March and Greg Garner, by Dr Ross Cloak and the School of Sport team was integral to their journey to the desert. We can't thank The University of Wolverhampton enough for enabling both to acclimatise within their impressive environmental chamber.

“The Marathon des Sables is no small challenge and being able to greatly enhance their preparations within the university's facilities made such a difference to James and Greg's entire experience. We wanted to mark this by gifting the department with our special Marathon des Sables 'camel & dune' award - a small gesture by way of thanking Dr Cloak and the School of Sport for their kindness and input in our quest to help expedite a cure for chronic spinal cord injury."

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