After the success of Jailbreak and the Rock Solid obstacle course, RAG has a new event for us all to look forward to. In their newest exciting challenge, LOST, students are blindfolded, dropped in an unknown location and given 24 hours to get back to Exeter – without spending any money. This week, HCX had the opportunity to chat with RAG’s Events Manager Kane Davis, who took part in LOST last year, about his experiences during the challenge.
Where were you dropped last year, and how did you figure out where you were?
We were blindfolded at midnight and woke up nearly 8 hours later in the middle of a coastal golf course, which we later found out was in the most northern part of Holyhead, Anglesey. We weren’t allowed to use GPS or maps or anything but, luckily enough, one of my teammates needed to use a toilet and we spotted a hotel on a hill in the distance, where there was an info point stand that showed us where we were so we could plan our way out.
So how long did it take you to get back to Exeter?
If we exclude the time saved by doing the challenges along the way, it took us 6 hours and 37 minutes to get back – which is pretty good considering it took us over 7 hours to get to our destination by coach!
What was your most memorable moment of the entire LOST experience?
Without a doubt, it was the drive with woman who took us from the RAF base on the Island to central Holyhead. My teammates and I all study the same course and it turns out that she had her undergraduate degree in the same thing! She drove us so much further than we expected and it really helped with the whole trip.
Was there any point during the challenge when you felt you wouldn’t make it back in time?
We were given a 24-hour target and we absolutely smashed it but there were points along the way when we were refused lifts and people were not as helpful as we’d hoped. Still, we worked our way through it and eventually got home.
What did you feel your team did well and what would you change if you could go back and complete the challenge again?
We were absolutely top-notch blaggers when it came to travel and even managed to get some free train tickets out of Wales! I wouldn’t change anything about our day.
Why are you supporting RAG and what does the society mean to you?
RAG raise so much each year for their nominated charities: ESV, Exeter Leukemia Fund and St Loye’s Foundation. LOST was actually the very first event that I participated in for RAG and I haven’t looked back since. It’s such a welcoming group and they put on so many great events throughout the year for some really great causes.
Would you recommend Exeter students to take part in this year’s LOST? If so, why?
Absolutely! It was one of the best things I’ve ever done and it was the first time I’ve ever hitchhiked. I would highly recommend it to anyone who’s never done a hitchhiking event or is too scared or worried to do one of the ones that involve going abroad.
What advice would you give to students who have already decided to get involved?
There are so many different ways to get to your fundraising total before you go and you can fundraise on the day of the event as well. You just have to make yourself noticeable and approachable, so get your fancy-dress thinking cap on!
Thank you so much for chatting with us, Kane!
For more information on how to get involved with LOST, visit RAG’s event page.