Last weekend, a number of our STR colleagues took on the Welsh 3000s to raise money for our charity partner, Motiv8.
This incredibly tough challenge involves climbing all mountains in Wales over 3,000 feet within a 24-hour period, and covers 3 mountain ranges in the Snowdon region –Yr Wyddfa/Snowdon Massif, the Glyderau and the Carneddau. It consists of 15 peaks and a climb of more than 2,500 metres!
A personal challenge for a community cause
The idea was put forward by STR’s very own mountain man, James Gigg, who has conquered several mountains over the last few years. After careful consideration, Clive Hutchings, our Founder and Executive Director, decided that this would be the perfect platform for our next fundraising activity for Motiv8, the youth charity based across Portsmouth, Fareham, Havant and Gosport.
Alongside Clive and James, the team, consisting of Joe Page, James Rolfe and Emma Rees, with driver Jeremy Ross-Clyne, completed a tough and comprehensive training schedule, to ensure they tackled the challenge as safely as possible. So how did they do?
“This was initially a friendly competition against my brother,” explains Joe Page, Recruitment Consultant. “But it culminated in a huge achievement for me and has really helped my mental health in a positive way, has been highly motivating and now I feel refreshed. I learned that I have a lot of grit and more endurance than I thought.”
Clive commented, “The challenge of reaching the highest 15 peaks in one day in Wales, team building and raising money for Motiv8 were huge motivators for me to take on this challenge. Through unexpected circumstances, I wasn’t able to train as much as I would have liked. I was actually intending to be the driver, but at the last minute our IT Manager offered, giving me the opportunity to have a go at the challenge. The best thing was how we all supported each other, with other climbers also providing support. In this situation you are all looking out for each other; its emotional.”
Senior Recruitment Consultant James Gigg, who has completed both the 3 Peaks Challenge and Snowdon 6s confirmed the inherent difficulties they faced: “At one point, we were lost, with cold 45mph winds in the pitch black and no idea how we were getting back down. It’s easily the hardest thing I’ve ever done!”
Official recognition
But they did make it back, with James and Joe completing the entire challenge! The Lord Mayor of Portsmouth, Councillor Jason Fazackarley, who met James at a Motiv8 and STR-organised beach clean recently, was kind enough to recognise James’s achievement, stating:
“Firstly, congratulations to you on a great achievement both in terms of your determination and personal endurance in completing what was a very challenging undertaking as well as for the money that you were able to raise. Portsmouth is fortunate to have someone of your calibre amongst its citizens and my personal thanks for all that you do to assist Motiv8 and the clients it seeks to assist.”
Another James, our Financial Controller James Rolfe, also took on the Welsh peaks: “I’ve previously completed 2x 100k ultra marathons as I like to push myself and believe anything is possible with the right preparation. This was tough, but I loved every minute of it. The support was amazing. I felt genuine care from my fellow hikers with a sense of responsibility for all, all around.”
Our leading lady, Emma Rees, Group Compliance Director agreed, “We are very different souls but we just worked well together from the beginning. No fuss, no drama. Just a love of the outside and seeing what we are capable of. Despite the fact that I didn’t finish, I feel very proud and ready to go again; either to revisit this challenge or find the next one!”
An incredible result
Through online and offline donations, the team has so far raised an incredible £3,950 for Motiv8, smashing their original target! If you would like to donate, there’s still time. Follow this link to give now to this incredible charity and support its vital work.
If these sound like the kind of colleagues you’d like to work with, reach out to our Talent Acquisition team to discover which of our current roles may be suitable for you at talent@strgroup.co.uk or call Iona on +44 (0)2392 322 308.
