A team from across the UM Group battled tough conditions to successfully complete the Three Peaks Challenge in memory of much-loved former colleague Melissa Bryers (nee Childerley).

Their magnificent achievement helped to raise £30,850 (including £11,675 of match-funding from UM’s holding company W&R Barnett and a generous donation from a major customer).

The funds raised are sufficient to purchase two ‘cuddle beds’ for St Michael’s Hospice (North Hampshire) where Melissa Bryers spent her final days.

On top of this, Melissa’s family and friends have raised over £17,000 to fund the purchase of a further cuddle bed.

The challenge, which our team completed in June, saw them navigate their way up and down the three famous peaks in less than 24 hours – beginning with the ascent of Ben Nevis (1345m), followed by the climb of Scafell Pike (978m) in the Lake District the same evening and Snowdon (1085m) in North Wales in the early hours of Sunday, June 15^th.

A massive thank you to our gallant climbers - Agnieszka Sriskanthan-Reksa, Harry Lawson, Jake Ellis, Felicity White, Tate France, Lewis Chambers, Jamie Clintworth, Robbie Flynn, Niall O’Donnell, Mark Few, Andrew Creasey and Tom Prior. Thanks also to our support team members Joanne Winning and Bernie Wilson.

Jake, UM Group Asset Integrity Manager and one of the principal organisers of the challenge along with Harry, Agnieszka and Geraldine Carroll, said: “We had set ourselves an ambitious target of £16,000 for a hugely worthwhile cause and in memory of Melissa, who was part of the UM family. All these things help to propel you up the three mountains. It’s incredible to think we have ended by raising almost double our target amount.

“Apart from running the London Marathon, I had never taken on a physical challenge like this. It was ridiculously hard, not just the climbs but also the travel between the different locations and the lack of sleep.

“Our three mountain leads, led by experienced mountain leader Stuart Beeston, did a great job of keeping us going, even in the face of some horrific weather.

“Scafell Pike was the worst with sideways winds and a steep gradient from start to finish. By the time we got to Snowdon for the final climb, your legs are spent, and you are feeling groggy. The wind at the summit was intense, but coming down the sun came out which was a great way to finish. Being greeted by the support team with bacon and sausage butties was just what we all needed.”

Harry Lawson, an IT Systems Administrator for UM Group, said: “It was the hardest thing I have ever done, but it was a great team effort by everyone involved. Probably the toughest section was trying to get down Scafell in the dark.”

Agnieszka, Group Financial Controller, UM Trading & Marketing, commented: “I couldn’t make one of our practice climbs before the challenge which was probably a good thing as it might have put me off!

“Scafell was the toughest moment with the awful weather and steep incline and Snowdon the most enjoyable, being able to savour what we had achieved as a group, take photos and let it all sink in.”

Geraldine, Group HR, Training & Office Manager, said: “We are big believers in the importance of working as a team and colleague collaboration and this challenge was an extreme example of this. It’s an opportunity for people from different parts of our Group to spend time together, supporting one another and celebrating success together.

“This was a big commitment for everyone involved in this challenge, giving up weekends to train, fundraising and then the event itself.

“We will be having a cheque presentation and lunch with Melissa’s family and representatives of St Michael’s Hospice in London later this month along with a separate dinner and presentation in Liverpool for those members of the team who can’t attend our London event.

“Once we have had the chance to celebrate this success, we’ll be turning our attention to 2026 and our next challenge!”