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Oxfam Trailwalker UK

Meet Lucy, Jo, Tim and Sean

They're four members of the Explore Head Office team who have taken on a huge challenge! They've signed up to take part in Oxfam's Trailwalker UK - a 30-hour, 100km walk across the South Downs.

What a lovely way to spend a weekend!

The Challenge

Trailwalker UK started as a military training exercise in 1981 and is now a team charity challenge in aid of Oxfam and the Gurkha Welfare Trust. Teams of four attempt to cover 100km in 30 hours whilst being supported along the way by a support crew. The average completion time last year was between 24-26 hours and the course record is an impressive 9 hours 50 minutes! 

The Explore Trailwalkers have been in training for the event, held across the weekend of 17th and 18th July, for a while now and are feeling confident that, taking into consideration the inevitable blisters and tiredness, they can cross the finish line in about 26-28 hours.

The Team

They're a mixed bunch with varying levels of walking experience...

Jo Rolls - Operations Manager

It was Jo's email around the office looking for volunteers to join her in this challenge which was the starting point for the Explore Trailwalkers. She's Team Leader and, as a former Explore Tour Leader, Jo has summitted Mount Kilimanjaro numerous times and helped ensure the groups she was leading made it to the top too. So, while it may have been a while since she last climbed the world's tallest free-standing mountain, Jo has the experience required to motivate the team and help them all across the finish line.



Lucy Nicholl - Operations Manager

Lucy looks after our tours in Nepal, which include all our treks through the Himilayas and to Everest Base Camp so she knows a thing or two about tough treks!





Tim Hornby - IT Service Desk

Tim is part of the IT team here at Explore and is currently in training to follow Jo's footsteps up Kili later this year. So, what better way to build up his endurance and get used to trekking in the cold and dark than the Trailwalker challenge!
Read Tim's blog about his preperation for his Kili climb.




Sean Hughes - Customer Relations Manager

Sean is the rookie of the team! He's not climbed Kili and has no current plans to and he's not overly familiar with the treks around Everest and the Himilayas. But he is very enthusiastic and knows some really good jokes to keep the team entertained during their walk.




Sean's blog

Sean has written a blog about the training the team have undertaken so far and their reasons for taking part in the Trailwalker UK challenge.  Find out just how tough this is going to be for the Explore Trailwalkers.


Sponsor the Explore Trailwalkers

The whole point of the team undertaking this challenge is to raise money for Oxfam and the Gurkha Welfare Trust so if you'd like to show your support head over to the Explore Trailwalkers Just Giving page and give what you can. The team, the chariities and everyone here at Explore thank you for any amount you're able to donate!