Trek the Alps 2027

Acorns Terms and Conditions

1. 1. Acorns have a limited number of trek places available on a first-come-first-serve basis for this group trek.
   2. By signing up to Trek the Alps challenge 2027 with Acorns, you agree that we can contact you about your participation in this event by phone, text message, email, post, or other digital communication platforms (for example, Microsoft Teams or WhatsApp).
   3. You acknowledge that participation in the event is at your own risk. You understand that Acorns is not responsible for the organisation, management or operation of the event and accepts no liability for any loss, injury or damage arising from your participation, except where caused by Acorns negligence.
   4. All donations are non-refundable even in the case of injury and/or not taking part in the event.
   5. Acorns Children’s Hospice is collecting your personal information as part of your application to participate in the Trek the Alps challenge 2027. Where necessary we will pass this information onto our event partners, The Different Travel Company, who will use it for the organisation and delivery of the event. We will not pass your details to third parties for marketing purposes.
   6. While taking part in the trek you are a representative of Acorns Children’s Hospice, as such we expect all participants to have consideration for other people, including trek participants, guides, trek leaders and locals you meet while travelling or taking part in the challenge and its associated training / social sessions.
   7. By entering the event you give permission for the free use of any pictures or video footage taken by you on the trip for promotional advertising or other uses as deemed appropriate by Acorns Children’s Hospice and/or Different Travel
   8. Acorns and its partners will provide a kit list pre event, it is the responsibility of the participant to ensure they follow the relevant guidance. This includes clothing and footwear. If Acorns or its partners deem footwear or protective clothing inadequate we reserve the right for you to not start the activity. This is for your own safety as well as the safety of other in the group.
   9. All property remains the sole responsibility of the owner.
   10. It is your responsibility to arrange your own insurance for this trip which includes the cover of required activity elements. You are advised to do this as soon as you have book, using your preferred provider.

Paying your sponsorship funds to Acorns

1. By agreeing to these terms and conditions, you are agreeing to the minimum sponsorship of £3,500 excluding gift aid (or £1,460 excluding gift aid if you are on the flexi option). By signing up, you confirm that you will raise at least £3,500 (or £1,460 if you are on the flexi option) by the following milestones:

SPONSORSHIP OPTION

• A non-refundable registration fee of £390 is payable at the time of booking to secure your place. This cost can be spread over several months as long at the full £390 is received by 1 September 2026.
• A total of £2,000 must be in receipt of Acorns by 10 February 2027, a total of £3,000 by 10 May 2027 and 100% of the fundraising, so £3,500 by no later than 30 September 2027

FLEXI OPTION

• A non-refundable registration fee of £390 is payable at the time of booking.
• Trip cost* balance is payable to Different Travel no later than 18 June 2027.
• £1,460 sponsorship** raised for Acorns must be received by the following milestones:
  • A total of £832.20 must be in receipt of Acorns by 10 February 2027, a total of £1,255.60 by 10 May 2027 and 100% of the fundraising, so £1,460 by no later than 30 September 2027

*Please note trip costs are based on the final group size and are subject to change, and the most you will be required to pay is £2,040.
**Please note any fundraising undertaken cannot be used for your trip costs.

2. Any existing regular donations which you make to Acorns do not form part of the total raised through sponsorship. This includes any donations made by a corporation that you represent.
3. Monies reclaimed by Acorns from the Inland Revenue for Gift Aid (or any other charity tax scheme) does not count towards the total value of sponsorship you raise.
4. Sponsorship money must be paid directly to Acorns via cash, cheque, online via JustGiving or by card over the phone. Cash payments can be made in person by prior arrangement only. Cheques should be paid to ‘Acorns Children’s Hospice’ and sent to The Events team at Acorns House (Acorns House, Acorns Children’s Hospice, 103 Oak Tree Lane, Selly Oak, Birmingham B29 6HZ) with a covering note detailing the name of the participant and the event name (in this case Trek the Alps 2027). Online fundraising pages should be set up in the name of the participant. Please follow this advice to ensure that Acorns can easily trace the funds that you pay in.
5. Acorns cannot be held liable for any cheques lost in the post, or monies paid to Acorns in any way other than those which Acorns has recommended. The amount which Acorns deems to have been raised by you will be the amount that Acorns has recognised as having been paid into its bank account by you.

Cancelling your place

1. Deposits are none refundable, however it may be possible to transfer your place to another participant, this is at the behest of Acorns and its partners and cannot be guaranteed. If transfer is possible, please note that additional costs or charges may apply which you must cover at your own expense (not from your fundraising).

Agreement

1. If you have registered other people in this event, please be aware that you have accepted the terms and conditions on their behalf and are confirming that you have been given the authorisation to do so. It is your responsibility to ensure that the members of your group have read and understand the terms and conditions.

Risk

1. The level of real, as opposed to perceived risk associated with the activities is very low. However, the types of risk may be something with which you are not ordinarily familiar. For avoidance of uncertainty, environments & situations that you may encounter include:

• • Rough / rugged terrain: this may cause you to experience greater than usual strain on joints & muscles
  • Physical effort: our activities may involve you in a greater level of exertion than in your usual day-to-day environment.
  • Height and water: whilst appropriate safety precautions are taken, some people can find situations at height or on water to be stressful.
  • Natural environment: most likely to be a rapid & significant change in the weather, or unstable/slippery conditions underfoot, but can also include rock falls, lightening etc.
  • Slips & trips: the most common cause of accident throughout society, the opportunity for slips, trips & falls is likely to be greater than that which you usually experience.
  • Loss or damage: the environments and activities that you choose to experience may increase the potential for loss of or damage to your personal clothing or equipment.

2. Participants also have a direct responsibility for safety. Your responsibilities are as follows:

• • Medical: please make us aware of medical condition(s) or injuries, past or present, which may affect or make ill-advised your participation in any activity. We can then agree with you whether or not you should participate.
  • Fears & phobias: before commencing any activity, please ensure that we are aware if you have any major concerns, fears or phobias about the situation(s) in which you are choosing to place yourself. We will work with you to help ease your feelings of discomfort/apprehension/fear, & ensure that you are as comfortable as possible.
  • Drugs & alcohol: it is potentially highly dangerous to participate in any activity whilst under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Acorns and its partners reserves the right to prevent any person participating in any activity, should we suspect that they may be under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
  • Conduct & behaviour: by signing up and accepting the event terms, participants are confirming their understanding that they are a representative of Acorns Children’s Hospice and that all behaviours and conduct will be appropriate and considerate of all others. Acorns and its partners reserve the right to prevent any person participating in any activity, should their behaviours be inappropriate.
  • Instruction: you must accept & act upon all direction & instruction from our instructors.

Injuries

1. Trek participants are advised to secure travel insurance as soon as possible upon booking. Different Travel will provide specific details of required elements for cover.
2. Should you become injured or unwell during the trek and require local land-based transportation, including use of the trek team vehicle, please note that this will be subject to a cost, payable at the time with cash. It is your responsibility to cover this cots. The cost may be eligible for reimbursement upon return to the UK and this should be picked up with your insurance provider.
3. If you sustain an injury before departure and are unable to take part in the trek, please contact the Acorns Events team in writing as soon as possible. It is important that you do not take part in the event unless you are completely fit to do so. Please note that donations and payments already received by Acorns are non-refundable and you may incur cancellation costs or other charges.