CHARITY CHALLENGE 2026 RAISES OVER £500,000 FOR CHARITY
Charity Challenge 2026 raises over £500,000 for Charity
The tenth Samworth Brothers Charity Challenge has marked another record-breaking year, raising more than half a million pounds for good causes and taking the total raised since the event began in 2007 to more than £3.3 million.
Held across two weekends in May, the 2026 Charity Challenge brought together 454 people in 115 teams from Samworth Brothers businesses, customers and suppliers. Teams of four took part in a demanding nine-hour adventure challenge in Castleton, in the Peak District, combining hiking, kayaking and biking across a challenging course.
The event tested endurance, teamwork and strategy, with teams planning their own routes, working together to collect points and raising money for charities close to their hearts.
This year, the fundraising supported 90 different good causes, with significant donations made to charities across the communities connected to Samworth Brothers colleagues and partners.
In Leicestershire and Melton, £174,400 was given to local charities, including £28,000 for LOROS Hospice, £13,000 for Rainbows Hospice for Children and Young People, and £5,200 for Welly’s Work Place. £30,000 was also raised specifically for local Melton charities.
In Cornwall, £41,560 was raised for local charities, including Project 35, Royal Cornwall Hospital Charity and Cornwall Hospice Care. A Project 35 team, made up of Ginsters colleagues and Plymouth Argyle Football Club members, were the biggest fundraisers, raising £20,625 to help tackle food insecurity.
The event also saw colleagues and partners return to the Challenge for milestone years. Nicola Wilson, a long-serving Samworth Brothers colleague and former General Manager of Westward Laboratories, completed her tenth Charity Challenge, helping her team raise around £4,000 and bringing her cumulative total across ten Challenges to around £12,000.
Nicola said: “The Charity Challenge is a fantastic event that brings people, businesses and communities together to raise money for great causes. I keep taking part because it’s a chance to give something back locally, support charities that mean a lot to us, and encourage people to get active for a good cause.
“The technical mountain biking sections really took me out of my comfort zone, but coming third in the Elite section was a very memorable moment.”
Mark Taylor, Area Manager at Kettleby Foods, also marked his tenth Charity Challenge. His team, The HOPEfuls, raised £3,200 through fundraising activities and sponsorship, alongside a £500 bonus for finishing third in their entry-level category.
Mark said: “I have proudly taken part in the Charity Challenge on 10 occasions and continue to put myself forward each year because I genuinely enjoy pushing myself and embracing the challenge.
One of the most exciting aspects of the event is its variety; each year brings a new location and fresh challenges. However, the most important element is the shared purpose – raising as much money as possible for charity.
It has been a privilege to continue participating in such a well-organised and rewarding event, and I would wholeheartedly recommend the Charity Challenge to anyone who has not yet taken part.”
The Challenge continues to bring together colleagues, customers and suppliers from across the food supply chain, with many teams choosing charities that have a personal connection to them.
PH Hull & Sons, which provides total waste management and sustainable waste solutions to Samworth Brothers, completed its seventh Charity Challenge this year, taking its own fundraising total to £72,000. The team chose to support LOROS Hospice after family members experienced the charity’s care first-hand.
Rob Hull, Managing Director of PH Hull & Sons, said: “It’s genuinely one of the slickest and best-run events we’ve ever taken part in. The volunteers behind the scenes work incredibly hard, and it really shows – from the moment you arrive, there’s such a warm, positive atmosphere.
What makes the challenge so enjoyable is that it’s not just about fitness – the strategy is often the hardest part. Planning your route and working out how to collect the most checkpoints is definitely a case of brain over brawn, which makes it really inclusive. The fittest team doesn’t always win; it’s the team with the best strategy that comes out on top.”
The 2026 route included three major sections, each lasting around three hours. The trekking section took participants across iconic areas including the Great Ridge, Win Hill and Cave Dale. The kayaking section took place on Ladybower Reservoir, while the cycling route included some of the Peak District’s most dramatic and demanding terrain.
Simon Wookey, CEO of Samworth Brothers, said: “We are proud to have passed this milestone, raising more than £3.3 million since the Charity Challenge began, including over half a million pounds this year alone.
The Samworth family has long been committed to being a force for good, supporting local communities and helping them thrive. What makes the Charity Challenge special is that it brings together colleagues, customers and suppliers from across the food supply chain in a unique team event.
It promotes health and wellbeing, strengthens teamwork and partnership, and supports both host communities and charities that matter personally to those taking part.”
Since launching in 2007, the Samworth Brothers Charity Challenge has grown into a much-loved event, combining adventure, teamwork and fundraising to make a lasting difference for charities across the UK.
Take a closer look at what it takes to bring the Samworth Brothers Charity Challenge to life: