Walking the Saddleworth Three Peaks Charity Challenge could be considered daunting enough - 15 miles over some very challenging terrain - and that's what faces our 11-strong team from HPP, with our endurance running enthusiast Dan Mounsey attempting to run it - twice - in one day!
Dan, our Marketing and Business Development Director, is undertaking his own unique endeavour as part of our support for Mahdlo Youth Zone's Saddleworth Three Peaks charity challenge on Saturday 1st July.
Joining Dan in the HPP team are: Andy Evans, Bart Szczurowski, Ellis Smith, Gary Matthews, Matt Barker, Michelle Topping, Omid Rashidy, Sam Phelps, Scott Frost, Shaun Nolan and Stuart Chamberlain.
The challenge takes in local landmarks Indian's Head, Pots and Pans and Wharmton Hill, and involves just under 3000ft of ascents and descents for the HPP team - and many other teams and individuals from the local area - whilst Dan will is aiming to complete twice that as he looks to do two circuits of the route, equivalent to more than a marathon (26.2 miles).
Mahdlo Youth Zone is dedicated to young people from all over Oldham aged 8 to 19 years, and up to 25 for those with a disability.
The Egerton Street centre is open seven days a week and is a dedicated warm hub where anyone can drop in for a hot drink, friendly chat and a warm up.
This summer's Three Peaks Challenge is one of several fundraising events Mahdlo organises to fund its mission to provide opportunities for young people to be the very best they can be.
We were one of Mahdlo's founding patrons when the Youth Zone launched in 2012 and we've recently reaffirmed our support by becoming a Bronze Patron, promptly
raising £354 by taking part in a Grey and Yellow (Mahdlo's corporate colours) fundraising day. The cash was raised via a raffle, cake sale, football scratch cards and a wear yellow 'non uniform' day in exchange for a donation.
Dan, who hails from Saddleworth, says: "When we met with Mahdlo team recently it was really eye-opening how their role in the community changed post pandemic and now with the cost-of-living crisis. They're not just a dedicated youth zone, they've become a full family service with their warm hub and everything else they do, and it inspired me to do something to help."
It's not the first time we have entered a team into the fundraiser - which last year raised more than £11,000. A seven-strong team from HPP raised £750 when they took part in 2019.
Dan adds: "I aim to set off early and hope to get a good distance done before the main body of walkers take to the route, but I'm hoping to finish around the same time as everyone else, especially the rest of the HPP team, so we can all celebrate together.
"I won't be looking to set any speed records, but I'm used to endurance running, so I'm looking forward to the challenge." You may recall, Dan's last endurance adventure was two years ago when he completed a 50k (30 miles) off-road ultra trail challenge near Huddersfield in 6 hours and 19 minutes, on that occasion he was running in aid of Tameside, Oldham and Glossop MIND.
If you'd like to sponsor the HPP team, go HERE, and for more details about all Mahdlo events in 2023, visit their website.
