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, Jo Wilson (Charity Partnership Manager of Community Engagement – Group Corporate Affairs at Lloyds Banking Group) took a team of 115 colleague’s from across the UK to trek Morocco’s Mount Toubkal – Africa’s tallest peak, standing at a majestic 4,167m. 98% of the team summited, facing tough terrain, weather and altitude – challenging themselves in aid of fundraising for Crisis UK and Simon Community (NI). Jo and her team wanted to educate their colleagues on the UK’S homelessness crisis and bring them together to raise awareness and funds for Crisis UK – a charity working towards ending homelessness. Together, the team raised an amazing £560,000 (and counting).
Read on to learn more about how it all went…
Why did you choose Charity Challenge?
I am new to my role, and this was my first ‘signature challenge’ to set up. So, I was pleased to be introduced to Simon and the team to help make this challenge a success.
What were you hoping to achieve?
This year’s signature challenge aimed to engage our UK colleagues. This challenge had places for 120 successful colleagues who applied, to take on a challenge and raise funds.
Our colleagues’ fundraising target was £4000 each. Including that, I wanted them to become advocates for the charity partnerships, understand why they were raising money – and for them to help spread awareness.
To decide on what signature challenge we would do, our team looked at distance, carbon footprint, the wow-factor of challenge, how many colleagues could we take successfully and the time of year – whilst ensuring our colleagues would have time to train and fundraise.
The ultimate goal was to fundraise, educate our colleagues and help towards ending homelessness.
How did it go?
We took four groups of employees across two dates in September on a five-day trek to Mount Toubkal. 115 colleagues in total took part and 98% of them peaked and got to the top of Toubkal! For so many colleagues, it was a really good number of people to get to the top – especially considering the altitude and the tough terrain.
The total raised is £560,000 (and counting) for Crisis UK.
What were your highlights?
My highlight would be taking 115 strangers (as they were colleagues from all across the UK) and all meeting at airport, seeing them bond so quickly, becoming friends, seeing the support gave each other and the general camaraderie of the group.
The development of friendships turned into significant bonds – that helped them to achieve their goals. This helped with pushing each other on – when someone was struggling, someone else would always be there support them. Overall, an overwhelming feeling of friendship was made between the group – and amazing memories. They came off the mountain knowing nobody in their outside worlds would understand that experience they had together.
Also, the last hour of the walk to reach the summit was so emotional and overwhelming. We got to the top and people burst with tears of pride, knowing that they’d spent nine months preparing for this and endured the toil and elation of getting there. I stood back and watched everybody take their group picture and I just cried!
The positivity from the participants was outstanding. They felt they had amazing support from team leaders doctors and ground team – they couldn’t praise them enough. Everybody knew it was going to be tough but didn’t realise just how much altitude sickness can knock you sideways – even if you’re the fittest person. So, slowing down, appreciating the support and advice given was something we all learned.
Afterwards, everybody said they now had an incredible, life changing, once in a lifetime experience – and new lifelong friends.
What did Charity Challenge do well?
Pre-Challenge: I can genuinely say, from the first meeting with Charity Challenge I felt their confidence – I felt in safe hands and every detail was covered. With their professionalism and the experts that I talked with, I knew from day one that this would be a successful trip with no doubt.
The working relationship with the team was great, from Administration to Tilly (Account Management), to Flights and Annie (Operations Manager). The build up to the challenge was excellent; from the knowledge shared, the Participant Account Areas and the hand-holding – reassurance was built up right up till departure time. I and all the trekkers felt in very safe hands with Charity Challenge.
During the Challenge: On the trek we knew we were in safe hands; from the team leaders, the outstanding doctor support and the outstanding team in Morocco. Every need – to best of their ability – was looked after. They ensured we had a successful, safe trip and that everyone made it to top safely. The local team in Morocco – being surrounded by people from the country – was especially lovely to have.
Post-Challenge: After the challenge, we gathered feedback from the trekkers and debriefed with Charity Challenge, looking at lessons learnt and any tweaks needed for future reference. I think Simon (Charity Challenge Director) is always looking for perfection!
Testimonal
I can’t praise the working relationship enough. I would work with Charity Challenge again in the future. It’s the most amazing adventure and experience – with memories that last forever. In 2025, I’m working with Charity Challenge on another exciting challenge…
Joanne Wilson, Charity Partnership Manager, Lloyds Banking Group
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Check out the Mount Toubkal Trek…
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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!
1 Comment
Kudos to Jo and the Lloyds team—not just for summiting Toubkal but for turning it into a platform to spotlight homelessness. It’s a powerful reminder of how CSR can go beyond donations to build real empathy and understanding.