Team Sovereign smash the Med Steps 5 Challenge in Gibraltar

“The Med Steps” – sounds harmless enough, how hard can it be to walk up some stairs, right? However, they may not have been very accurately named, with in some parts it feeling more like scrambling up large boulders to ascend them.

To walk up and come back down the Rock of Gibraltar from these, 1,800m one way (the exit is a different route) once is a great feat, so five times is nothing short of remarkable. This is why Mark Cooper’s annual challenge – all of the fundraising from which goes to Cancer Relief Gibraltar and the Cancer Relief Centre – is such a big event; it is physically challenging, but nonetheless rewarding, with exercise endorphins released and incredible 360 degree views of Gibraltar, Spain, Morocco and the Gibraltar Straits to enjoy.

On Saturday 20th April 2024, this event had its 10th Anniversary and Sovereign’s local Trust and Wealth teams were delighted to be joint lead sponsors of the event this year and for the next the next 2 years.

Team Sovereign were represented by: Lynette, Alex, Brendan, Chrisannes (Bula & Perera), Cristina, Emma, Jade, James, Mike, Nathan, Nicholas, Nikki, Nyree, Ryan, Sadye and Titus. The vast majority of them managed if not 3 laps then 5, which is an incredible achievement.

Mark and his team have worked tirelessly year-round to organise the event. The facilities for eager participators included an aerobics warmup provided by The Base Training Club, music at various points en route to encourage dancing participators, Domino’s Pizza, refreshments, complimentary fruit and sweets.

The 10th Anniversary did not disappoint, and it was wonderful to see over 500 people take part with a whopping £15,000 (and counting – final total to be announced) raised for Cancer Relief Gibraltar and the Cancer Relief Centre. It was an excellent showcasing of the Gibraltar community’s energy and generosity for charitable events. Even the tourists stepping out of their taxis at the Pillars of Hercules were keenly joining in with the festivities, attempting the Steps themselves and buying the Med Steps 5 event T-Shirts.

Mark Cooper commented: “Over the ten years I have been organising this event, I have never seen so many participants willing to take on the challenge. This year also saw the most people complete 5 laps with over 277 gold medals being given out with the youngest competitor, being 5 year old Eliana who completed her 5 laps in just over 7.5 hours. Having a sponsor like Sovereign allows me to promote the event more than I have ever done before, with T-Shirts and bespoke medals. The centre needs to raise over £500,000 a year to maintain a service for our loved ones dealing with cancer. The MS5 is the biggest fundraiser for Cancer Relief annually. This year has been the biggest yet and has only been achievable thanks to sponsors like Sovereign supporting me. Over the next 3 years Sovereign will continue to sponsor the event, which can only get bigger and better.”

Lynette Chaudhary, Tax Director of Sovereign Tax Services and MS5 participant commented: “We are delighted to be joint lead sponsor of this event which is now a firm fixture in the Rock’s community event calendar. There is nothing not to love about this event! It’s for an excellent local cause, with Cancer Relief Gibraltar providing valuable support to people in the community when they need it the most, it’s a fabulous fitness challenge and it all takes place in a beautiful UNESCO World Heritage environment surrounded by enthusiastic participants and apes!”

The history of the Steps
The Mediterranean “Med” Steps lead from Jews’ Gate on the southern end of the Nature Reserve (180m above sea level), to O’Hara’s Battery at 419m, near the summit of the Rock. They were built as part of the military communications system built by the British to allow access to their various defence posts at the southern end of the Rock. At the highest point of the Steps are the two 9.2 inch guns of Lord Airey’s Battery and O’Hara’s Battery. Other gun emplacements and ancillary buildings dating back to World War II are evident along the route.

The Steps were restored in 2007 by the Bonita Trust, the Government of Gibraltar and the Gibraltar Ornithological and Natural History Society so this UNESCO World Heritage Site is safe for walkers.

Built as part of the British military’s communications system, the Mediterranean Steps grant access to defence posts on the southern tip of the Rock. At its summit, Lord Airey’s Battery and O’Hara’s Battery house two 9.2 inch guns, while remnants of World War II gun emplacements and auxiliary structures line the pathway.

The path lies within the Upper Rock Nature Reserve, offering views of the Goat’s Hair Twin Caves, which exhibit signs of their former existence as sea caves, indicating a time when sea levels were notably higher. They are among several caves in Gibraltar that have provided archaeological evidence of prehistoric human settlement.

The MedSteps5 Challenge is sponsored by Sovereign and Chestertons, with further support from LiveScore and Image Graphics.

If you wish to make a donation to Cancer Relief, please visit: https://www.cancerrelief.gi/get-involved/donate/
Congratulations to all that took part and thanks again to Mark and his team, we are already looking forward to next year.