A TEAM of Jaguar Land Rover employees swapped engines for hiking sticks as they took on the national Three Peaks Challenge.
Hassan Ashraf alongside six other walkers and a support crew of three from across the big cat sites scaled the mountains in memory of a friend who took his own life.
The group, named Red Hot Chili Steppers, climbed the highest peaks in Scotland (Ben Nevis), England, (Scafell Pike) and Wales (Snowdon) back-to-back, as well as the travel between the locations, in 30 hours and 40 minutes.
So far the team has raised more than £3,100 for CALM, The Campaign Against Living Miserably.
For some this was the first time they have climbed a mountain but for others, like Hassan, it was be more familiar.
Hassan has completed it twice before, once when he was serving in the RAF in 2007 and again for the Warwickshire and Northamptonshire Air Ambulance in 2012.
Organiser Hassan said: “It’s mission accomplished for me: everyone finished the challenge safely, and we have started lots of positive dialogue started around mental health and suicide prevention.
“It was a great team building experience and it is a high-profile event for JLR, who have been fantastic with supporting the challenge.
“It’s incredibly humbling to think that what started as an idea whilst grieving for a friend who took his own life has led to such a positive outcome. Let’s all keep talking about mental health challenges and remain committed to creating a safe space for people to talk.”
For more or to donate visit the Just Giving website and search Hassan Ashraf.
