THE team at GRIMME are well known to many in the British and European potato sectors for producing and marketing field machinery, as well as collaborating in industry initiatives such as the four-year Potato-LITE project.
But one of the most uphill tasks they’ve undertaken isn’t taking place in the field or factory.
At the end of this month, 14 employees from GRIMME UK and Deutsche Leasing will embark on the National Three Peaks Challenge which involves climbing the UK’s three highest mountains in a single challenge, to raise money for a charity that provides financial assistance and mental health support to potato growers, their families, and other types of farmers all over the country.
After three months of intensive training, they are making their way to the top of Scotland’s Ben Nevis, England’s Scafell Pike, and Snowdon in Wales, and will have just under a day to reach their goal.
The team hopes to raise £5,000 in support of RABI (Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution).
Climbing the highest mountains in the UK in just 24 hours is not only a test of endurance but also a race against time, meaning the participants will have to push themselves to their limits, according to Group Marketing Manager Adam Johnson, who is one of the participants, and whom Potato Review caught up with at the recent Potatoes In Practice event near Dundee, Scotland.
The day after the show he set off to climb Ben Nevis, completing the climb in four hours and 30 minutes, as part of his training.
“Preparations for the route demands intensive training, teamwork, and efficiency,” said Adam. “The Three Peaks Challenge requires its participants to ascend and descend all three mountains while withstanding the time pressure and harsh weather conditions.”
GRIMME Managing Director Patrick Graf-Grote added: “We chose RABI since our priority is to support farming communities and families facing hardship, which closely aligns with GRIMME’s family values. This challenge is also about further developing collaboration and teamwork skills. It’s an opportunity to strengthen bonds within our team and bring together employees from different sectors and regions across the country.”
Starting their route at 8:30am on Ben Nevis in Scotland on August 30th, the team is due to complete Scafell Pike and finish at Snowdon early the next morning.
Anyone interested in donating to their cause can do so by visiting the team’s JustGiving page here. The team’s final collection for RABI will take place at this year’s British Potato Industry Event in Harrogate in November. GRIMME is also sponsoring the British Potato Industry Awards which takes place on the evening of the show, also in Harrogate.
Photo: Marketing Manager Adam Johnson, pictured here on Ben Nevis, is amongst those tackling the National Three Peaks Challenge.
