YHA charity fundraiser to help ALL children get an adventure away from home
Organised by Youth Hostels Association (England And Wales)Yorkshire Three Peaks Walk
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***CHALLENGE UPDATE***
We are thrilled to share that eleven of our amazing YHA Trustees, joined by CEO James Blake and Company Secretary Peter Harvey , successfully completed the Yorkshire Three Peaks challenge — all in just under 12 hours!
Taking on the 25-mile route across Ingleborough, Whernside, and Pen y Ghent, the team climbed over 5,000 feet in support of our No Child Left Behind appeal. Guided by the expert leadership of Simon Ainley from our fundraising team (and qualified mountain leader), the group set out at dawn in perfect walking conditions.
As Margaret, Chair of the Board shared:
"We did it! All of us and in almost exactly 12 hours. It was a great day, lovely conditions, and a great group to walk with under Simon's amiable and professional leadership. No damage done other than a few blisters and a bit of sunburn."
Congratulations to everyone involved, and thank you to all who donated and supported the team along the way.
On Friday 9th May 2025, the YHA Trustees will take on the Yorkshire Three Peaks challenge, which includes the peaks of Pen-y-Ghent (694 metres), Whernside (736 metres) and Ingleborough (723 metres).
These hills form part of the Pennine range, and encircle the head of the valley of the River Ribble, in the Yorkshire Dales National Park.
This classic mountain challenge is a 24-miles round trip route, and includes 1585 metres of ascent. The objective is to complete it within 12 hours.
Taking on the challenge are:
Maragaret Hart, our Chair
Simon Reeve, our Vice Chair
Graham Turnock, our Treasurer
James Blake, our Chief Executive
Peter Harvey, our Company Secretary
All money raised will go towards YHA's No child left behind appeal, to help give more children access to adventures.
A school residential is often a child’s first stay away from home.
For many children, a school residential may be the first time they’ve visited the countryside or caught a glimpse of the sea.
Sadly, opportunities to spend a night with classmates away from home are under threat. The growing number of disadvantaged families and shrinking school budgets means whole-class trips are - heartbreakingly – being cancelled, or simply no longer planned.
At YHA, we believe that no child should be left behind. With your support, we can continue to give children the chance to make memories that last a lifetime. Every £50 raised could pay for a child from a low income background to have a place on an overnight trip.
“I can’t thank YHA enough for enabling us to take our Year 6 pupils on such a fantastic trip which was thoroughly enjoyed by both pupils and staff. The bursary awarded to us by YHA enabled all of our pupils to take part. Without this the trip would not have been possible. Our school is situated in an area of high deprivation with the majority of pupils living in high rise flats. For many this trip was the first time they had seen the sea and stayed away from home”
Caroline McKay, headteacher, Ivybridge Primary School, London, following a residential at YHA Lulworth Cove in September 2023