The Venari Partners Challenge is back.
We could all use some adventure in our lives. With this year’s edition of the Venari Partners Challenge, we want to give especially deserving people the chance to undertake an incredible expedition through Norway – all while raising money for our official partner, Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM).
Our 2024 partners
Our team leader
Paul Harris, also known as The Warrior Walker, is a Royal Marine veteran. He has also worked as a security specialist for the US government in Afghanistan, and as a kindergarten teacher in Thailand.
He set out to walk the circumference of the UK to raise awareness for mental health issues facing men. After an enforced break due to COVID, he completed the journey in April 2023 before setting off for a second lap two months later: this time, with the aim of raising £1 million for mental health charities.
Most recently, Paul has walked from London to the Paris Olympics, again raising money and awareness for mental health charities.
Meet the participants
After receiving hundreds of nominations for the Venari Partners Challenge, our panel selected the eight participants below for the life-changing trek to the Norwegian Fjords.
You can read more about the finalists below.
Agata has shown tremendous resolve since receiving a breast cancer diagnosis. While she is now cancer-free, Agata learned during her treatment that her father had been diagnosed with incurable lung cancer. He instilled a love of hiking in her when she was a little girl, so Agata will be taking part in the Challenge for him too. She is looking forward to really living again and reaching new heights. Agata’s positivity and resilience are truly inspiring.
Agata Miskowiec
Geraint had surgery to remove a benign tumour which left him deaf in one ear and having to deal with facial palsy and dizziness, but this didn't stop him from taking part in endurance triathlons. With cycling now becoming a challenge, he has swapped wheels for trainers to take part in ultramarathons.
Geraint Young
Luke is Claire’s fiancé and wanted the opportunity to join the trek not only to help her with her medical needs, but also for them to share the experience together. Having supported Claire through her cancer battle, Luke knows first-hand how miserable it can be to see a loved one suffer, so he was keen to raise money for a cause that can help others struggling with their mental health.
Luke Slater
Izzy is a Marketing Executive at Venari Partners, working across the business to support all marketing efforts. She has been working closely on the Venari Partners Challenge and will be attending as the main organiser and to gather content. Izzy is excited to see the project come to life and share this experience with the rest of the participants.
Isabelle Hanby
Claire was diagnosed with stage 3 bilateral breast cancer at 39. She finished active treatment in November 2023, but lives in fear of it coming back. She recently got a new passport and wants to fill it up with stamps, and hopefully fill all the pages before she needs to renew it in 10 years time. She wants to show other cancer survivors what is possible.
Claire Stewart
Jean is a VP of a publicly traded company, and has also been a US Navy reserve for almost 30 years. She has recently returned from a six-month tour supporting war and security efforts for Ukraine. Just two weeks before she left, she lost her brother. The past year has been very challenging for her, but she is inspiring in her belief that difficulties teach you a lesson.
Jean Knowles
Matthew has had his own battles with mental health but has turned his life around. After receiving support, he gained a first-class honours degree at university and completed the Three Peaks Challenge by bicycle in support of Mind. We’re sure his love of the outdoors and fundraising experience will be assets to him in the stunning Norwegian fjords!
Matthew Evans
Dee is a Research Consultant within the Aviation & Aerospace team at Venari Partners. He was selected for his fantastic work as well as for his passion for fostering diversity and inclusion. Dee feels the Challenge is a fantastic opportunity to push himself and make positive changes for a worthy cause.
Dee Angelini
Gareth is a business owner who made work his main priority, until the birth of the his first son which made him re-evaluate his priorities. He sold his business and went travelling with his young family. Having had his own mental health challenges, he wanted to take part to make memories and take photos to show his children what is possible to achieve.
Gareth Sanders
Liam has led numerous charitable expeditions for his organisation, helping to raise an incredible £1.7 million for various different causes over the years. He routinely inspires his colleagues to take part in corporate social responsibility initiatives and, having always previously been a leader on such endeavours, he will now have the chance to experience the Challenge as a participant.
Liam Powers
Richie is our CALM ambassador for the trek. CALM are so excited to have the amazing Richie Driss on board for the Venari Partners Challenge. Not only is he an amazing ambassador for CALM, but as an ex Blue Peter presenter we can't think of anyone better to take on this once in a lifetime challenge... plus he's a regular fundraiser for CALM and even volunteered his keeper skills at a Beat the Keeper challenge at the Mental Health World Cup, so we know the rest of the team are in safe hands!
Richie Driss
The trip
Lose yourself in one of the planet's most unique landscapes
Participants – all of whom have been nominated through an open process – will embark on an incredible five-day journey through the stunning Norwegian fjords in September 2024.
Everything from airport transfers and kit will be provided – all you need is to be up for the challenge!
Why are we doing this?
So much of our identity as a company focuses on the experiences we offer to our customers and employees alike. As part of our dedication to promoting corporate social responsibility (CSR), we are once again underlining our commitment to changing people’s lives for the better and making a positive impact on our community. What better way to do so than by launching a repeat edition of the Venari Partners Challenge, our blockbuster charity campaign!
What we achieved last year...
£24,000
was collectively raised by the participants for their chosen charities.
Venari Partners have received a number of accolades for launching this life-changing charity campaign from organisations including:
Venari Partners have supported many great causes over the years, but we wanted to take our charitable efforts further than ever when we revamped our CSR policy in 2023. This led us to create and launch the first-ever Venari Partners Challenge, which took place in Petra, Jordan in October 2023. Here, we funded a group of deserving individuals to take part in an amazing five-day trek through the deserts of Jordan.
Nominated by their friends and family through our open social media campaign, the trekkers were led by endurance athlete and world record holder, Sean Conway, who guided the group to their destination: the stunning Rose City of Petra.