A team of more than 30 2plan advisers and staff took on the Yorkshire 3 Peaks last month and raised over £56,000 for The Openwork Foundation and the good causes it supports.

On 16th September and after an early morning briefing, the team embarked on a mission to climb the challenging peaks of Pen-y-ghent, Whernside and Ingleborough, completing the circuit in under 12 hours, walking over 25 miles and covering over 5000 feet of ascent!

Graeme Stamper, James Marshall and CEO Chris Smallwood pulled a group of hikers together and they were all expertly led on the day by Charity Challenge.

James Marshall says it was a day to truly be proud of: “I think what’s very clear is that when we at 2plan set our minds to something, we make it happen and see it through to the end. This challenge was exactly that, but because we all pulled together we took it on as a team and finished as a team.”

The supportive and friendly culture at 2plan is something the senior team is incredibly proud of, and this recent achievement goes to show that it counts whether they are sitting at a desk or doing something very different.

One of the hikers, IFA Ian Galston shares his experience of the day: “I talked to colleagues that I had never met before and everyone was very supportive of each other, I think everyone had peaks and troughs and it was great to encourage each other and by the end of the day there was a real sense of camaraderie in our group. Quite a few of us met for dinner in Horton that evening and you could feel the shared bond of achievement, everyone in that room had beat some sort of personal demon to conquer the 25 miles and there were some real granite chipped looks in the eyes that hadn’t been there earlier. It was a personal battle with a lot of support from people I didn’t initially know, but I now feel we share a bond.”

Phil Garner was also part of the hiking group: “I was in the leading group and the banter amongst colleagues was great, we kept each other going to the finish, the team leaders were also first rate.”

Other comments include: “It was an extremely difficult challenge so when crossing the finish line you felt extremely proud of what you, your colleagues and new friends had achieved. Hats off to Chris and James who harboured the family spirit of 2plan to create a day that will live long in our memories.” and “It was an amazingly tough but massively rewarding adventure with fantastic people.”

The incredible amount of money raised will now go to The Openwork Foundation, who uses funds to provide grants to eligible UK registered charities that support vulnerable people in the UK or overseas.

As part of its grant programme, The Openwork Foundation also is proud to partner with two national charities for the next three years; Cruse Bereavement Care and Dementia UK.

So, after such a tough challenge and great achievement, would they do it again? Ian Galston reckons so: “Yes, but give me a few weeks to recover first!”

Congratulations to all the team and here’s to all the great causes that will now benefit. Teamwork really does make the dream work at 2plan.