Four employees from Journeo, a transport technology company based in Ashby-de-la-Zouch, Leicestershire, have raised more than £4,000 to protect vulnerable children on public transport networks by completing a demanding mountain trek. The team scaled Snowdon, Scafell Pike, and Ben Nevis within a tight 48-hour window starting June 25, travelling between peaks on a specially chartered train service.
Gruelling challenge for a vital cause
The money raised will support the Railway Children charity, which works alongside transport firms and local governments to make travel hubs safer for young people. The physical challenge is estimated to equal three half-marathons on rough, uneven terrain with thousands of metres of steep climbing. The four co-workers spent months preparing by organising group hikes and gradually increasing their walking distances. They battled extreme summer heat and severe sleep deprivation to surpass their original fundraising target. Across the country, the entire event raised more than £220,000 to help protect young people at risk of harm.
Personal motivation for team member
Taking on the challenge from Journeo were Richard Webb, John Cope, Geoff Pulford, and Adam Cousins. For Adam Cousins, a transport systems consultant diagnosed with a rare bone disease at age eight and a three-time cancer survivor, the journey was deeply personal. He said: “For me, this challenge was personal. Life has a funny way of throwing obstacles in front of you and then standing back to see what you’re going to do about it. I’ve never been particularly interested in giving up. I’ve learned that every mountain looks beautiful from a distance and considerably less beautiful when you’re halfway up it. But that’s the point. The challenge isn’t standing on the summit, it’s taking the next step when you’re tired, when it hurts, when it would be easier to stop. I think there’s a lesson in that for all of us. You cannot always control the outcome, but you can always control the effort. That’s what this challenge is about: effort, determination, and doing something that matters.” He added: “Railway Children does incredible work helping vulnerable children who have nobody else to turn to. Children who face challenges far greater than a few sore feet and a steep mountain.”
Industry support and impact
Richard Webb, group sales director, said: “The work that the Railway Children does sits right at the heart of what makes the railway industry such a fantastic place to work in; it represents that sense of family among colleagues and how the industry looks after its own. It's impossible to not feel connected with the Railway Children's work in supporting young people and keeping them safe, especially when you have a family of your own and can understand how easily any of us can find ourselves needing some support. This challenge was a real opportunity for us to work alongside like-minded people to support young people who need someone in their corner.” Design engineer John Cope used the challenge to rebuild his physical fitness after knee surgery. Business development manager Geoff Pulford was inspired by the event to explore how transit technology can improve child safety. Rob Capener, Chief Executive of Railway Children, said: “Every year I am blown away by the commitment, generosity and determination shown by our supporters across the rail industry, such as Journeo - and this year was no exception. The conditions during the Three Peaks by Rail Challenge this year were particularly tough, and I'd like to congratulate every participant for their resilience, teamwork and dedication.” Further information about the team's fundraising efforts can be found online at the Railway Children fundraising page.
