Pre-event preparation
Participant briefing (one week before):
For daughters
- What to wear (madrasah uniform over active base layer)
- What to expect physically (challenging but achievable)
- Purpose of the challenge (refugee empathy, fundraising)
- Emphasis on trying your best and supporting others
- No revelation about mothers’ participation
For mothers
- Detailed explanation of surprise sequence
- Honest discussion about physical challenge levels
- Explanation of differentiated standards and why
- What to wear (smart clothes with trainers in boot)
- Acting techniques for feigning reluctance
- Importance of modelling determination without commentary
For madrasah organisers
- Risk assessment for venue and route
- First aid provision and emergency procedures
- Ratio of supervisors to participants
- Parental consent and medical information
- Safeguarding checks for all adults
- Communication plan and emergency contacts
Islamic framework integration
Throughout the challenge:
Connecting to faith
- Stories of strong women in Islamic history facing hardship
- Prophetic examples of patience during difficulty
- Quranic verses about perseverance and testing
- Gratitude for blessings we typically take for granted
- Empathy as Islamic obligation toward those suffering
- Community support reflecting ummah bonds
Age-appropriate teaching for daughters
- Recognising mothers as whole people beyond parenting role
- Appreciating sacrifice and effort parents make daily
- Developing empathy through shared experience
- Understanding privilege through contrast
- Building confidence through challenge
- Strengthening family bonds through partnership
Growth opportunities for mothers
- Modelling resilience under genuine challenge
- Demonstrating capability beyond household context
- Building connection through shared vulnerability
- Learning about daughters’ capabilities under pressure
- Strengthening Islamic identity through service
- Creating family legacy of courage and empathy
Safeguarding and wellbeing
Essential protections:
For daughters
- DBS-checked adults supervising at all times
- Clear behaviour expectations and boundaries
- Appropriate challenge levels for age and capability
- Permission to modify or skip genuinely concerning obstacles
- Mental health support if emotional processing difficult
- Parent contact immediately available if needed
For mothers
- Honest assessment of physical capability beforehand
- Permission to modify higher standards if safety concern
- Recognition that this isn’t about proving anything
- Support for those finding challenge unexpectedly difficult
- First aid and emergency procedures clearly communicated
- No pressure beyond reasonable stretch challenge
For both
- Multiple adults supervising throughout
- Clear safeguarding policies and procedures
- Emergency evacuation plans for all locations
- Weather-appropriate contingencies
- Inclusive approach respecting different abilities
- Celebration of all effort and participation
Cost and accessibility
Keeping it affordable:
Essential costs
- Assault course venue hire: £30-50 per person
- Basic lunch provisions: £3-5 per person
- First aid supplies and risk assessment: £50-100 total
- Potential transport costs if car sharing needed
- Total per mother-daughter pair: approximately £70-120
Reducing barriers
- Madrasah subsidies for families with financial constraints
- Bulk booking discounts negotiated with venue
- Car sharing to reduce individual petrol costs
- Families contribute homemade food elements
- Equipment borrowed rather than purchased
- Fundraising offset against participation costs
Inclusive approach
- Scholarship fund for families who cannot afford full cost
- Payment plans allowing installments
- Work exchange opportunities (helping organise = reduced fee)
- No family excluded due to financial circumstances
- Focus on participation over fundraising capacity