Copart teammates are taking on a 3 Peaks Challenge in July to raise money for automotive charity, Ben.
A group of 12 teammates from our Head Office in Wootton, Bedford, will be tackling the three highest peaks in Scotland, England, and Wales in 24 hours: Ben Nevis (1,345m) in Scotland, Scafell Pike (978m) in England and Snowdon (1,085m) in Wales.
Walking a total distance of 23 miles (37km) with a total ascent of 3064 metres (10,052ft), the team are taking on the challenge to raise money for Ben, a charity which provides health and wellbeing support to those working in the automotive industry.
At Copart, we’ve been a proud supporter of Ben for many years and adopted them as our company charity in 2015.
Our 3 Peaks Challenge will raise money for the charity as part of their Do It 4 Ben initiative, which encourages individuals and businesses to create their own bespoke physical or virtual fundraising activities, in lieu of the usual large-scale fundraising events which have been postponed or cancelled due to Covid.
The team will be heading from Bedford to Fort William on Friday 9th July, starting the walk on Saturday 10th July and completing all three mountains in 24 hours, finishing in Wales on Sunday 11th July.
Leading the team is Sam Bates, Health & Safety Advisor at Copart, who came up with the idea and has co-ordinated the event.
Sam said: “I have wanted to take on the 3 Peaks Challenge ever since I climbed Ben Nevis last September, and after the year we have had with Covid, I thought it would be good to arrange something for people to support and get behind. It was great to discover that others at Copart were interested in taking part and doing it for charity gives everyone that additional satisfaction.”
With less than a month to go, we are just over halfway to achieving our fundraising goal of £1,000, and the team have been stepping up a gear with their training regimes.
“I love a challenge and the outdoors, so this is perfect for me. It’s for a great cause and is also an exciting opportunity to get to know other teammates that I don’t see day-to-day. I’ve stepped up on my walking training and am heading off to Wales for some last-minute mountain climbing. I’m feeling ready and just want to help the team complete the challenge within the 24 hours.”
Team member, Luke Prietzel – Account Executive at Copart
As well as being a fantastic opportunity to raise funds for our company charity, teammates are also taking part in the challenge for a range of personal reasons.
“After losing 3 stones during lockdown for my wedding, I needed something to keep me focused and help me maintain my exercise. I recently ran my first 5k and I’m the fittest I’ve been in years, so I thought I’d take part in the 3 Peaks Challenge as it’s probably something you do once in a lifetime. It will be a massive sense of achievement once completed and a real team effort.”
Team member, Sarah Marshall – HR Officer at Copart
In addition to their own individual training regimes, the team met up this week for a walk around Marston Lake, which is situated next to Copart’s Head Office in Wootton.
“It is all getting really exciting now and everyone is upping their training leading up to it.” said Team Leader, Sam. “If we can get through Covid, then we should smash this challenge!”
Can you help Team Copart to reach their £1,000 fundraising goal? Visit our Just Giving page to donate at: justgiving.com/fundraising/copart-uk3
“I’m delighted that teammates are taking on a 3 Peaks Challenge as part of the Do It 4 Ben fundraising initiative. I’m proud of the culture for charitable giving that we have here at Copart, and events like this are a fantastic reflection of our commitment to caring about communities and good causes as part of our ongoing Copart Cares campaign.
Ben’s range of health and wellbeing support services, which Copart teammates have access to, have been especially invaluable throughout the challenge of the pandemic so we are pleased we have this opportunity to give something back.”
Jane Pocock, Managing Director of Copart UK & Ireland
