A total of 11 automotive leaders will be taking part in Ben’s Sahara Desert Trek next month, as the latest instalment of the charity’s Industry Leader Challenge.
The Sahara Desert Trek will see five teams spending five days making their way across the Sahara Desert in Morocco to raise a minimum of £20,000 per team for Ben. Each day, they will spend around 10 hours trekking across unforgiving terrain, covering up to 27km in temperatures of 25-35°C with no shade except during meal stops.
Temperatures will be closer to 0°C overnight, and the teams will camp under canvas, with only a jeep and a camel for company.
The Industry Leader Challenge is an epic personal challenge taken on each year by an automotive industry leader (or leaders) to fundraise for Ben. It requires extraordinary personal endeavour that tests the challenger(s) either mentally or physically, or both.
Taking on the Sahara Desert Trek
The five teams taking on the Sahara Desert Trek, which runs from the 26th February to the 5th March, are comprised of leading figures from the automotive aftermarket. Those taking part include:
- Stuart James, RMIF Director; Kevin Flinn, RMIF Chair and Rob Collison, IGA Chair and Peter Whieldon, independent garage owner and photographer
- Neil Grant, Managing Director and Spencer Grinham, Sales Director – Hella Limited
- Melanie Lowe, European Finance Director and Chris O’Rourke, Managing Director – LKQ Euro Car Parts
- Ian Leedham, European Vice President Compliance, Legal & Public Affairs and Dave Brookfield, Vice President Human Resources Europe – LKQ Euro Car Parts
- Karen Jakes, Group Product Manager, Automotive & Repair at Thatcham Research and Martyn Rowley, Executive Director at National Body Repair Association.
Ben’s Rachel Clift, Chief Executive Officer, and Matt Wigginton, Director of Partnerships, Engagement & Income are also taking on the challenge.
“In just five weeks’ time, wewill be turning up the heat on our industry leaders,” commented Matt Wigginton, Director of Partnerships, Engagement & Income. “We cannot wait to tackle this extraordinary challenge together to raise funds so we can support members of our automotive family who are struggling, or in crisis.
“By following our journey, sharing this story with your networks and donating, you will help us make a real difference to people’s lives. Now more than ever, automotive people need Ben – and we need you and your support. We hope you will wish us luck and follow our intrepid journey!”
You can also follow the Sahara Desert Trek by following Ben on social media: Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.
