The Defender Challenge 2026 is a sponsored, one-day trekking challenge I alongside some colleagues will attempt to complete the classic Yorkshire Three Peaks within a period of just 12 hours.

While it lasts just one day, this challenge should not be taken lightly as the terrain is extremely varied involving some steep ascents and descents. Participants can expect to cover almost a marathon distance by foot and accomplish an ascent of 1532m (higher than the UK’s largest mountain)– but in just a matter of hours.

I'm doing this for a personal reason, as many of you will know I had my first child and parenthood is a ride! I've always done challenging activities to push myself and remind myself how strong I am and that I can do anything. This challenge is no different, but more important in this chapter of my life as I remind myself I'm not only a mother! British Red Cross is an amazing charity and given the current geopolitical climate is needed more than ever across the globe.

The British Red Cross has been Defender’s trusted and valued humanitarian partner since 1954 when a Series 1 Land Rover was given to the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement to act as a mobile dispensary in the Dubai desert. Since then, the partnership has impacted over 2 million lives in more than 50 countries.