On 25 May, students and staff at Leeds Beckett University took on the Yorkshire Three Peaks, a trek taking on the peaks of Pen-y-Ghent (694m), Whernside (736m) and Ingleborough (723m). This circular route is approximately 24.5 miles in length with an elevation gain of over 1585m!
 

My admiration for Kevin Sinfield, who had taken on his own challenge to support The Motor Neurone Disease Association (MNDA), inspired me to make a difference. I thought of ways that all students and staff at our university could access the outdoors. We are so fortunate to study in Yorkshire where we have endless possibilities to experience the outdoors. The Yorkshire Dales are right on our doorstep so what could be better than taking on the Yorkshire Three Peaks? The planning for the Yorkshire Three Peaks started in 2021, it's amazing to think that this little idea turned into something truly magnificent. The Yorkshire Three Peaks event meant that both students and staff at the university have the opportunity to come together to achieve something really worthwhile as a community.
 

We chose to raise money for the MNDA and the Rob Burrow Care Centre at Leeds Hospitals Charity for many reasons. It is the likes of Rob Burrow, Ian Flatt, Cath Muir and all the other incredible individuals with Motor Neurone Disease (MND) as well as their families/carers who inspire us. Their positivity, courage and determination remind us why we must continue to educate, raise awareness, fundraise and find a cure for MND. As a current Speech and Language Therapy student, I often wonder whether the Rob Burrow Care Centre is somewhere I will have the privilege of working once I graduate.
 

Preparation for this challenge involved offering a variety of training walks across Yorkshire for the students taking part in this challenge, we went to places like Marsden Moor, Todmorden and Hebden Bridge. At the university, the Sport and Active Lifestyle team also supported our challenge by offering complementary gym passes. Throughout our preparing for the Yorkshire Three Peaks, we were kindly invited to the Yorkshire Choice Awards to support MNDA which was a fabulous evening. We also held various fundraising events such as stalls and raffles.
 

On the day of the challenge, we were fortunate to have the support of some fantastic instructors from Carnegie Great Outdoors, which is an organisation based at the university. We had an early start battling the rain and wind, nonetheless the positivity and team spirit remained high. When things became difficult, remembering that with every step we were making a difference to someone with MND really kept us motivated. I am so proud of everyone who participated in the Yorkshire Three Peaks. The Vice-Chancellor at the university also completed the challenge with us!
 

On behalf of everyone who completed the challenge, we will be making a donation to the pathways management team in the Yorkshire Dales. In the future, I am passionate about providing further outdoor experiences to students at Leeds Beckett University that encourage students of all abilities and backgrounds to get involved. The outdoors is a wonderful way to promote positive well-being while increasing confidence and self-esteem!
 

Fatimah Bint-Hanif

Level 5 Speech and Language Therapy (BSc)
Vice President of the Speech and Language Therapy Society
Vice President of the Outdoor Society