GBG (GB Group plc) has run an annual charity challenge for its people for many years. Staff take on something physically demanding together and raise money for the company's chosen charities along the way.
Peak Events has delivered GBG's UK Challenge for a number of years. In September 2026 it grew into a full Challenge Festival: 140 people, four days and a base at Thornbridge Outdoors in the Peak District.
The brief: a real challenge, for every level of fitness
The challenge has to feel like a genuine achievement for the keen runners, without leaving anyone behind. That meant offering a range of routes, so everyone could pick something that would stretch them, and building a programme around the day that made the whole trip feel like a reward.
Five routes and an abseil
- Full marathon walk (26 miles): 51 people
- Half marathon walk: 54 people
- Half marathon run: 8 people
- Full marathon run: 3 people
- 75 km mountain bike or e-bike route: 7 people
- Helping team: 17 people supporting on the day
An optional abseil gave people one more thing to try, and 47 signed up for it. Our team planned and marked the routes, ran checkpoints and marshal stations, and managed coach and shuttle transfers so every group started and finished in the right place.
A festival around the challenge
The challenge day sat inside a festival weekend. Thornbridge Outdoors gave us 82 rooms on site plus camping, and a 10m x 18m marquee with a stage, festoon lighting, hay bales and a bar became the heart of the event.
- Wood-fired pizza, a BBQ, breakfasts and packed lunch rolls for the whole group
- An acoustic duo, karaoke and a DJ in the marquee
- Massages for tired legs after the challenge
- All the licensing, including a Temporary Event Notice, handled by us
A crew of 14 from Peak Events ran the weekend, with Guy as project manager and team leaders and instructors on every route.
The results
GBG surveyed everyone who took part. The Challenge scored an average of 4.9 out of 5, 91% gave it full marks and 97% want to do it again next year. The abseil was the most-mentioned highlight. Planning for 2027 is already under way.
“It is hands down the best team building / team bonding that we do... The team at Peak events have worked with us on our UK Challenge for a number of years now and frankly we wouldn't want to do it without them. They take the stress out of the event for me and the team who help me organise it.”
“I would highly recommend working with The Peak Events Team, they are experts in their field, very thorough and knowledgeable, it's great knowing we are in safe hands, and we see them as an extension of our team.”
Planning a charity challenge?
Whether it is 20 people or 200, we can plan the routes, safety cover, transport, food and accommodation, so you can focus on your team and your fundraising. See our challenge events.
