25 years ago, my best friend and business partner (Jeremy Gane) and I created Charity Challenge with a vision to provide opportunities to take on some amazing adventures around the world and raise funds for good causes.
We didn’t know where it would lead, but we dared to dream…
Now a quarter of a century later, we have helped tens of thousands of participants to raise £84 million for thousands of good causes, on challenges across five continents.
It is with immense pride and a massive amount of gratitude to our charity and corporate partners, our participants, staff, leaders, doctors, and local ground teams, that we share those achievements.
In the last 12 months alone, over 5000 participants have taken on a challenge across the UK (including Snowdonia, the Scottish Highlands, Hadrian’s Wall, South Downs, Lake District and Peak District), and throughout the world (including the Himalayas, Andes, Sahara, Kilimanjaro and the Great Wall of China).
Collectively, they have raised over £5 million for charities that are fighting poverty, disease, homelessness, and hunger (amongst many other great causes).
A massive well done to everyone involved!
I personally managed to get out on two of our classic challenges, both a first for me.
In March, I headed off on the Dalai Lama Himalayan Trek, where I had the privilege of trekking with an amazing group of individuals with incredibly moving reasons for taking on their own personal challenge. We had the honour of meeting His Holiness the Dalai Lama, before heading out on a five-day trek with incredible scenery, great food and hospitality.
And in September, I travelled to Morocco for my first ever climb of Mount Toubkal, the highest mountain in North Africa, standing at 4167m above sea level. It was a significant challenge that reminded me that I am no longer as fit or as agile as I was when I started the business!
As I trekked with employees from Lloyds Banking Group (who raised well over £500,000 for Crisis), and recounted the advice I was given that led to me starting the business (“If you want to be successful, do something you’re passionate about”) I had a realization that what I do gain every year is an even greater passion for what I do. I absolutely love it. I really do. I feel blessed to be able to do what I do, and help others achieve what they might have once felt was impossible.
Don’t get me wrong, it is very stressful at times, and I am grateful to my wife and sons for being understanding when I have to deal with emergencies in the middle of the night or on weekends, but hearing the stories from participants about the obstacles they have overcome to be there and the connections they have to the causes they are supporting, refuels and recharges my passion.
As the year comes to a close, we look forward to another busy year in 2025, already looking like being the busiest we have ever had.
We’re exploring a number of new destinations and we look forward to sharing them with you!
We’re partnering new charities and corporates, and we’re excited to welcome new and repeat participants on to our challenges, visiting some impressive destinations around the world.
We wish everyone connected to the Charity Challenge family a very happy, healthy and adventurous new year too.
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