Automotive industry leaders will soon feel the heat in Ben’s Sahara Desert Trek

A total of 11 automotive leaders will feel the heat next month in Ben’s Industry Leader Challenge Sahara Desert Trek which is taking place from 26th February to 5th March.

The following teams are tackling the Sahara challenge:

• Stuart James, RMIF Director; Kevin Flinn, RMIF Chair and Rob Collison, IGA Chair and Peter Whieldon, independent garage owner and photographer
• Neil Grant, Managing Director and Spencer Grinham, Sales Director – Hella Limited
• Melanie Lowe, European Finance Director and Chris O’Rourke, Managing Director – LKQ Euro Car Parts
• Ian Leedham, European Vice President Compliance, Legal & Public Affairs and Dave Brookfield, Vice President Human Resources Europe - LKQ Euro Car Parts
• Karen Jakes, Group Product Manager, Automotive & Repair at Thatcham Research and Martyn Rowley, Executive Director at National Body Repair Association.

Ben’s Rachel Clift, Chief Executive Officer, and Matt Wigginton, Director of Partnerships, Engagement & Income are also taking on the challenge.

The five teams will spend five days trekking across the Sahara Desert in Morocco to raise a minimum of £20,000 per team for Ben. Each day, they will spend around 10 hours trekking across unforgiving terrain, covering up to 27km in temperatures of 25-35°C with no shade except during meal stops. Temperatures will be closer to zero overnight and the teams will camp under canvas, with only a jeep and a camel for company. 

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You can also follow the journey by following Ben on social media: Facebook /BenSupport4Auto, Instagram @bensupport4auto, LinkedIn /company/ben-automotive-industry-charity. 

Matt Wigginton, Director of Partnerships, Engagement & Income, said: "In just six weeks’ time, we’ll be turning up the heat on our industry leaders! We can’t wait to tackle this extraordinary challenge together to raise funds so we can support members of our automotive family who are struggling, or in crisis. By following our journey, sharing this story with your networks and donating, you’ll help us make a real difference to people’s lives. Now more than ever, automotive people need Ben – and we need you and your support. We hope you’ll wish us luck and follow our intrepid journey!”

The ILC is an epic personal challenge taken on each year by an automotive industry leader (or leaders) to fundraise for Ben. The ILC requires extraordinary personal endeavour that tests the challenger(s) either mentally or physically - or both. 

When any member of our automotive family is struggling or in crisis, we all rally to support them. 

 -ENDS-