Future steps up for wild places

Hear how raising money for wild places helped a remote-working team to bond and get fit.

Future was one of the first organisations to take up our challenge to unite its team in a meaningful adventure by choosing one of the UK’s best-loved peaks — Ben Nevis, Schiehallion, Blà Bheinn, or Helvellyn — and collectively ‘climbing’ its height in steps during the working day over one or more weeks, all while raising funds for the conservation of Britain’s wild places.

Team leader Joe Fitzpatrick said: “We had 50 people taking part in the Ben Nevis Step Up for Wild Places challenge. As a collective, we banked 2.4 million steps over the week, raising £1500. I hope our contribution helps the Trust continue its amazing work! 

Joe received lots of positive feedback about the challenge, which he says is essential when you are remote and working from home.

"Ditch lunch at the computer..."

Katy said: "We all know the importance of taking a break from your desk and getting out in the fresh air to take in nature. The Ben Nevis challenge for the John Muir Trust was an added incentive to ditch lunch at the computer and embrace the great outdoors every lunchtime.

“It gave you a buzz knowing that you were raising money for such a great cause; plus, I often came back with a clearer head for tasks in the afternoon. A win-win." 

"Collectively really bonding..."

Zoe said: “I didn't know anything about John Muir, but was absolutely delighted to learn about what he did, and how the trust continues to bring such important awareness to that connection between nature and health. So this tied in with the walking challenge was such a brilliant idea. 

“The amount of steps was achievable but enough to make you think about it consistently and achieve a good dose of exercise.  It became a singularly enjoyable and motivating thing to do and collectively really bonding. I saw a lot of support and engagement with each other over it.” 

"Improved my health and wellbeing"

Alison said: “The biggest impact it had on me is that I hadn't realised how few daily steps I was doing since working from home compared to going to the office every day. 

“Before then 6,000 steps a day would have been easy to do naturally and was part of the reason I signed up. Easy peasy! But looking at my previous weeks step count I was only hitting 1.5-2k steps a day! I had to actively think about fitting it into my day in order to hit this challenge.

“I haven't been prioritising or thinking about my own health, I won't take an hour out of my day for exercise, but as soon as it came down to raising money for charity that completely readjusted my priorities. 

“The challenge helped improve my health and wellbeing. Raising money for a good cause at the same time is an absolute bonus! And doing it along with colleagues, even though we're all over the country gave it an added sense of community. We're all working towards this goal together :)” 

• Find out more about Future.
• Sign up for your own Step Up for Wild Places challenge.