A DORSET disability charity is once again offering adventure fans the chance to take part in their very own five-day survival challenge this September.

Diverse Abilities Plus – a charity supporting children and adults with learning difficulties in Dorset – will hold its fourth annual ‘Castaway Challenge’ from Saturday, September 19 to Wednesday, September 23. The charity is giving 24 men and women the chance to take part.

The five-day adventure, which raised more than £9,000 for the charity in 2014, contains fundamental elements of survival which will challenge participants from dusk until dawn.

During the event the chosen group will learn about survival techniques, build a natural team shelter, undertake sea life-raft survival skills training, learn to navigate by the sun and the stars, take part in search and rescue drills amongst their many challengers.

Although the location of the challenge is kept a secret, participants will enjoy a night of team bonding at a hotel in Dorset with other members of the challenge before heading out to the start of the adventure on boats sponsored by Powerboat Training UK.

Dorset’s Fiona Heppell took part in last year's Castaway challenge and said she would ‘recommend it to anyone’.

She added: “I felt an enormous sense of achievement when completing this challenge and I raised a lot of money for a fantastic charity in the process.”

And in 2012, Ken Whillock from Dorchester also underwent the challenge on behalf of the charity.

He said: "Diverse Abilities is a very worthy cause and I’m proud to have taken part in this challenge while also raising money for a local charity.

“It was great fun and there was a good social element with lots of banter."

The Castaway Challenge is suitable for anyone aged 18 or over and entry is £50 with a minimum sponsorship of £550 per person.

Diverse Abilities provide support to every participant who signs up to the event enabling them to achieve their fundraising target.

Sharon Wells, Events Fundraiser at Diverse Abilities, said: “The castaway ‘five-day’ challenge is a once in a lifetime opportunity and by taking part you will help us to make a difference to the lives of children and adults with learning difficulties and profound physical disabilities.

“If you fancy a challenge or just want to get away from the daily routines and stresses of life, this challenge really is for you.

“Everyone who joins the boats for this event will make new friends and have a fantastic, fun experience.

“There are only 24 places and it is recommended to sign up soon to avoid disappointment. It is such a fun event and many people return year after year.”

For more information visit diverseabilitiesplus.org.uk/events or call Sharon Wells on 01202 718266.