Hi there all,

I hope this message finds you well and in good spirits!

Thank you for arriving at my JustGiving Fundraiser page for The Habbit Factory. The information below has been repurposed for my next challenge but please, read on to find out more about my time with this amazing charity, what they do and what I'm looking to achieve for this beautiful bunch of people and their members!

The Habbit Factory:

I have been volunteering with a charity organisation called The Habbit Factory since April 2024. THF is an inclusive arts/theatre organisation that runs theatre clubs and activities for infants, young children and teenagers of all backgrounds and needs. THF is a true embodiment of the word inclusive, we are not an organisation solely aimed at working with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities members, but to helping anyone looking to grow their confidence, to learn and grow with new people and friends. and to belong to a community that cares about the person you are beyond anything else.

Currently we service 169 members a week across our Monday to Friday classes in hubs across Havering, and this number doesn't include any of the people we service through our Education outreach programme. We have many objectives as an organisation but ultimately, we want to create a safe, encouraging environment where anyone could join and find themselves accepted and welcomed.

Further information on the organisation can be found on our website here:

https://www.thehabbitfactory.org

The Habbit Factory YouTube page has many videos of our members and volunteers. Please use the link here to have a look! https://www.youtube.com/@TheHabbitFactory/videos

Why THF and my second Charity Challenge:

I've worked with THF now for over a year and it's been one of the most rewarding experiences I've committed my time and energy to. I've built wonderful relationships with the staff, the volunteers and of course the kids too. From performing on stage, to working with the team for Children in Need and other organisations, I'm grateful to be a part of something so meaningful to so many people.

Following the huge success of my Double Marathon Challenge on the 1st March 2025, completing 52.52 miles in 12 hour 53 minutes and run/walking over 101,000 steps over the course of the day, my target of £10,000 raised for the Charity is still in play! I am extremely grateful to everyone who donated a total of £3,561 during my first challenge and I hope to raise just as much, if not more, for this challenge, bringing me closer and closer to achieving the £10,000 target I set last year when I begun this fundraising journey.

So... WHAT IS THE NATIONAL THREE PEAKS CHALLENGE!

The National Three Peaks Challenge involves climbing the three highest peaks of Scotland, England and Wales, often within 24 hours.

The total walking distance is 23 miles (37km) and the total ascent is 3,064 metres (10,052ft). To give you some context, an average 'floor' is 3 metres, so by the time I have completed this challenge, I would have climbed 1,136 floors... that's the equivalent of climbing the Burj Khalifa nearly five times.

The closest thing to climbing a mountain that I've attempted is walking up a steep hill haha. I have no experience in this, just as I didn't really have any experience running! In typical Ben fashion, why climb one mountain when I can climb three in one day? :) So with the intention of keeping the bar high and pushing myself, this is the challenge I'm completing! And I am very confident I can get it done!

Fund Raising and Sponsorship Opportunities:

Over the last four years, THF's revenue has been mostly made up of grant funding. This enables the organisation to run but does not allow much flexibility in how this money is spent as grant funding comes with conditions and parameters for spending. Every pound I raise from donations can be spent how the organisation pleases and in the last four years, the most that has been raised is just over £10,000 in one year. I want to smash this target and it'll be with the kind hearts of you lovely people that this can be accomplished. THF has many costs, some of which are covered through grant funding to support the production and running of our yearly shows, specialist staff who have experience and knowledge to support our Special Educations Need and Disabilities members, as well as covering the annual membership costs for 62% of our members who would not be able to afford to attend otherwise.

Noting this, we are very open to working with companies, corporations and individuals that are interested in working alongside The Habbit Factory as a sponsor. Sponsorship can benefit us in many ways, whether it's covering a portion of our show running costs, putting funds toward events for our children, covering venue costs supporting membership costs, the list is endless but all will be gratefully received and we hope we can offer impact to you as a Sponsor in a mutual-way!

Further information can be shared on request to see where you might want to make a greater difference. Please contact me on benj@thehabbitfactory.org to discuss and thank you again for your consideration!

Please note, donations through sponsorship AND direct are tax deductible and 100% of the donated amount will go straight to the Charity!

December Pantomime... Sleeping Beauty!

This Winter, I will be performing in our Christmas Pantomime, Sleeping Beauty, alongside staff and volunteers within the organisation as well as A LOT of the kids we work with! The five shows will be running between the 19th-21st December and I'll be in every performance. If you fancy coming to see what will be a wonderful show, please use this ticket link to buy your tickets!

https://www.thehabbitfactory.org/sleeping-beauty - If you have any questions on this please do not hesitate to ask; all seating is arranged on a first come, first served basis on the nights of the show and the total occupancy for the venue is 208, so there will be plenty of chances for you to come and watch!

If you have read this far, I really really appreciate you taking the time to read my message and fingers crossed, consider donating no matter how small you can contribute. This wonderful organisation deserves all the support they can get and if it means doing two marathons in one day and climbing three mountains in one day to support them, so be it. Help me help The Habbit Factory and support what we do!

Thank you very much, have a lovely day/evening.

Ben x