The Fridge Hiker’s Stride for a Charity
On Saturday 10th September, Manheim account manager, Matthew Bamber, will set off to climb Cumbria’s three highest peaks in under 24 hours – with a 30kg fridge strapped to his back on a bespoke freighter frame.
Having been inspired after watching this year’s Invictus Games, Matthew is raising money for Help for Heroes to help support those veterans receiving care. He initially set out to raise £3,000 and has already exceeded this figure – including a donation from the Manheim Foundation – so he hopes his efforts will raise closer to £5,000.The challenge will see him take on a 50-mile hike up and down Helvellyn, Skiddaw and Scafell Pike, starting at 9.00am on Saturday morning, with the aim of finishing by around 7.00am on Sunday.
Matthew, who is 42 years old and works with Manheim’s dealer customers, will be carrying added weight in the fridge in the form of bottles of water – and a bottle of beer to drink when he reaches the end. The fridge was donated by Hotpoint, having been impressed by Matthew’s dedication and determination.
He will be joined by a number of people on his attempt, including brother-in-law Gregory Bentley and Mark Airey, Recreational & Adventure Training Co-ordinator at Help for Heroes’ northern Recovery Centre, Phoenix House in Catterick.Mark said: “Sport and exercise plays such an important part in the recovery of so many of our beneficiaries, so it’s so appropriate that Matthew chose to raise money with such a physical challenge. I couldn’t resist offering to join him, and neither could some of the people we support at Phoenix House, and who we couldn’t continue to support if it weren’t for fundraisers like Matthew.”
Tim Hudson, Managing Director of Manheim, said: “We challenge our team members every day to deliver the best performance and service for our customers, but this challenge is on a different level. We encourage our team members across the business to raise money for good causes and also to volunteer, so Matthew is providing a great example for others. The team at Manheim is incredibly proud of him, and we wish him well for the weekend.”
Matthew will be posting updates on Twitter during his challenge at @thefridgehiker.
