Over the last 25 years, Charity Challenge have worked with hundreds of businesses to provide innovative and dynamic solutions for employee engagement, and CSR. Our exclusive corporate challenges help companies develop stronger team bonds, demonstrate corporate responsibility and have amazing experiences, all whilst supporting their charity partnerships.
In September 2024, Dame Kelly Holmes Trust took 20 fundraising participants to trek Machu Picchu – the charity’s first ever big international challenge. Dame Kelly herself attended – and together the team raised in excess of £70,000 – to support the charity’s efforts in training world class athletes to mentor and coach young people facing adversity. Charity Challenge worked with the trusts Head of Business Development, Annie Moody and Pippa Stott, Fundraising & Events Manager, to plan this incredible exclusive challenge. We spoke to Annie below about how it went…
Why did you choose Charity Challenge?
This was the first time Dame Kelly Holmes Trust has ever done a big international challenge like this – so this was a new challenge for us!
I am also the co-founder of the Lewis Moody Foundation along with my husband and having previously used Charity Challenge for some successful fundraising trips, I felt confident about speaking to Simon about creating a bespoke challenge for Dame Kelly Holmes Trust.
Machu Picchu was a challenge Dame Kelly Holmes had always wanted to do. Simon’s reassurance of how many times they’d organise the Machu Picchu trek before and their knowledge of it was great – I felt secure in what Charity Challenge were offering.
What were you hoping to achieve?
We wanted to get between 20-24 people on the trek. We hoped to give people a bucket list experience, that was self-paid, where they could raise trust awareness and as much fundraising as possible.
As this was the Trust’s first big international challenge, the sign ups were open for anyone who wanted to come. It was about achieving something together as a group.
We hoped to fundraise at least £48,000 – which we actually surpassed.
How did it go?
There were 20 of us doing the challenge altogether, including Dame Kelly Holmes and the Traitors star Fay Greaves. We still have money coming in, which is amazing, but the total is currently in excess of £70,000.
What were your highlights?
There were so many highlights – one of the best days and biggest achievements was reaching the highest point of 4550m above sea level. At the top, our leader did an Andean ceremony, which was very emotional, and everyone was taken a back. We had spent all morning trying to get to that point, which was tough, and we were all stopping, helping and encouraging each other. Then to witness an amazing ceremony, that made everyone cry – it was a special moment.
Trekking with a group of people, most of them strangers, coming together and helping each other to achieve what we did, was really amazing. As a group, the highlight was pulling each other through. We all struggled with altitude in different ways – but that sense of coming together really can’t be beaten. Plus, there is the feel-good factor of doing something amazing for ourselves – and also for charity.
The vastness of the mountains also makes you feel so small! It was so nice to take yourself out of normal life and into a new environment that is alien to you in many ways – but also so life affirming. The remains of Machu Picchu were mind- boggling, breath-taking and beautiful. A photograph will never give you the same experience as actually being there!
From our WhatsApp group, the overall feedback was that everyone loved it and had an incredible, life-changing experience. They felt a real sense of achievement for completing such an incredible challenge!
What did Charity Challenge do well?
Pre-challenge – It was great having an Account Manager – Tilly was really informative. If there was anything she was unsure about we could leave it with her to find out; always making sure we got the right information. Our Operations Manager, Jo, was also great in terms of putting our mind at rest about things like kit to take and recommendations on best type of sleeping bags or snacks etc… All issues were overcome as best as possible, and the team were great at making us feel reassured.
During challenge – The team on the ground were brilliant and professional. They looked after us really well and were really reassuring. The team had different experiences with how well they felt on different days with the high altitude – but we were looked after by the team impeccably. Everyone in the group made it to the highest point every day!
Post-challenge – The debrief was good to have and we are in conversation with Tilly and Simon about a potential future challenge, maybe for next year…Watch this space!
Testimonial
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Rating: 5 out of 5.
Charity Challenge are a great organisation to collaborate with. We recently took a team of 20 to Peru to trek to Machu Picchu and raise funds for Dame Kelly Holmes Trust. The trip was well organised, our account manager Tilly was fab and the whole team at CC were very reassuring. The detail on the ground in Peru was exceptional, our leaders and guides were very experienced and knowledgeable, they spoke fluent English and took great care of everyone involved. The whole experience is one we will never forget! I would recommend Charity Challenge for both UK and International expeditions.
Annie Moody, Head of Business Development, Dame Kelly Holmes Trust
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If you’re interested in engaging your employees with a challenge event – book your free initial consultation now!
During our consultation, we will discuss your business needs, goals and values, provide you with options aligned to your objectives, and then of course, answer any questions that you might have. We’ll also discuss what support we offer and how we will work together throughout your challenge journey.
You can expect this call to last about 30 minutes. We look forward to speaking with you soon!
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