A team of 14 from across the business took part in a 15-mile charity walk at the weekend, the annual Saddleworth 3 Peaks Challenge on Saturday in aid of MAHDLO, Oldham's premier youth service and a charity that HPP has been involved with since 2013.
Team HPP comprised the following intrepid explorers: Andy Evans, Claire Hinchcliff, Dan Mounsey, Ellis Smith, Gary Matthews, Josh Bland, Matt Barker, Michael Stevens, Michelle Topping, Michelle England, Omid Rashidy, Robert Ridgeway, Scott Frost, Stuart Chamberlain. The 15th member of the team was Skyla the Dobermann, who was taking part as a canine representative of Lincs Dobermann Rescue , responsible for liberating her 12 months ago from a puppy farm in Stafford.
With 150+ registered walkers taking part, there was some inevitable 'bottle-necking' as the single-track paths and first set of gates and stiles slowed the walkers but by the time the last walkers had reached Wimberry Rocks, the fastest walkers had already reached the first checkpoint at Dovestone Reservoir carpark, and some were even on their way to Pots and Pans.
The weather closed in at several points during the day: low cloud, a relentless wind and stinging rain made things tricky to say the least. After several weeks of wet weather, the paths were waterlogged and slippery in places, slowing down the pace even further.
There was a chance for the walkers to have a breather, grab some refreshments from the MAHDLO team and catch up with their team mates at The Cross Keys pub in Uppermill, before heading off through Uppermill and Dobcross to tackle the final peak - Wharmton Hill. After the previous 11 miles of so, the final 2 mile road climb up to the transmitter was brutal on the legs, made worse by some driving rain and strong winds. The rain didn't last long but the wind persisted all day. Then it was a steep descent from down to The Farrars Arms at Grasscroft, then a mile or so back to the Royal George pub, where we'd set off just after 8am. Medals, drinks and a carvery were on offer at the finish line - followed by much swopping of stories detailing heroic feats, perilous descents and battling the wind and rain.
Business Development Director Dan Mounsey set out to run (!) two laps of the entire route; he was accompanied for the first lap by our Systems Developer Michael Stevens. Dan managed his 'six peaks' challenge in an impressive 6 and a half hours.
As of writing, Team HPP has managed to raise over £1500 for MAHDLO, with an incredible £11,000 in total raised so far from all the sponsors & walkers who took part.
We're still able to take donations (we've got the photos, medals and aches/pains to prove we did it!). Any amount is grateful received: donate.giveasyoulive.com/fundraising/hpp-three-peaks-2023
Well done to all the members of Team HPP who took part: it's no mean feat to walk 15 miles in such conditions and over that terrain. Special mention must go to Josh Bland from our Sales team, who took part in the training walk a few weeks ago but unfortunately had to turn back after only a short distance: the heat and steep ascent proved to be too much. But with three weeks of training, Josh turned it around and completed the full 15-mile route: an incredible achievement for someone - by his own admission - doesn't do as much exercise as he should.
And congratulations to all the other walkers - a great day out raising funds for an essential part of Oldham's Youth Service provision!
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Quick Links
MAHDLO Youth Zone - www.mahdloyz.org