Haymarket Automotive completes the Ben Industry Leaders Challenge

Two of Haymarket Automotive’s directors took on the Three Peaks challenge earlier this month to raise money for the automotive industry’s charity, Ben. Haymarket Automotive comprises of Classic & Sports Car, What Car?, Car & Accessory Trader and Autocar, while Ben, is a charity which is dedicated to supporting the people of the automotive industry by enhancing their health and wellbeing through its free and confidential support services.

Rachael Prasher, Managing Director and Jim Holder, Editorial Director tackled Ben Nevis, Blencathra and Snowdon consecutively, with 15 other walkers from across the automotive industry. The pair battled through snow, hail, winds up to 55mph and frequently sub-zero temperatures to complete the challenge.

Rachael Prasher said: "Before the start everyone we met in Scotland kept asking us why we were attempting the challenge in November, and the reasons for their scepticism soon became horribly apparent as the conditions deteriorated."

"Just finishing Ben Nevis was a greater challenge than I'd set myself up for mentally, so to then tackle Blencathra in the dark from 10pm to 2am - after having to divert from Scafell Pike because of flooding - was doubly gruelling - and then snow fall at the peak of Snowdon was an added sting in the tail."

"But, as with all good charity endeavours, the support of friends and colleagues was the motivation we needed to dig deep and keep going. I am a committed walker, but this was something else - but as the aches settle I'm increasingly proud of what we achieved."

The Ben Industry Leaders Challenge runs annually, with senior figures from across the automotive industry completing everything from skydives to water cycling tests in order to raise money for the charity. The Three Peaks challenge was instigated after the original plan to climb Mount Kilimanjaro was delayed due to the coronavirus outbreak, now set to run in February 2022.

Holder added: "The only thing I can equate the challenge of the Three Peaks to is watching the London Marathon on television and thinking 'I could do that'. It's so easy to think you can do it, and so enticing to research - but the reality was really quite brutal, especially with the weather conditions we faced."

"But, like all charities, Ben is having a terrible time during the pandemic, struggling to raise funds. When you consider it from that perspective, having to dig deep for a day wasn't so bad, even if my knees are continuing to protest now!"

To donate, visit: https://giving.ben.org.uk/pf/rachael-prasher-38acf-b75c3 or https://giving.ben.org.uk/pf/jim-holder-cb579