With just weeks to go until the next Industry Leader Challenge (ILC), a group of automotive leaders are preparing to set off for Morocco to tackle one of the toughest fundraising challenges yet in support of Ben.

From 21st to 26th November, a team of four will trek through the snow-covered High Atlas Mountains before attempting to summit Mount Toubkal, North Africa's highest peak at 4,167 metres.

This year’s industry leader challengers are Matt Robinson, B2B Director at LKQ Euro Car Parts; Pete Brookes, Sales Director at LKQ Bodyshop Division UK & Ireland; Jonny Harris, Sales Director at NRF (Nederlandse Radiateuren Fabriek), along with Ellen Plumer, Ben’s Head of Awareness & Experience. They will be raising funds to help Ben continue to provide life changing support for automotive people and their families.

The demanding five-day expedition will see the team face up to eight hours of trekking daily, rugged winter conditions, sub-zero temperatures and, at times, terrain that may require the use of ice axes. At times, the group will be cut off from the outside world, so they will rely on determination, teamwork and resilience as they push themselves far beyond their comfort zones.

To support the team and donate, visit: https://giving.ben.org.uk/pf/ilc-2026

The Toubkal Trek Challenge continues a proud tradition of Ben’s Industry Leader Challenges that have seen senior automotive leaders test themselves physically and mentally while raising vital funds to support Ben's work. To date, the Industry Leader Challenges have collectively raised over £1.02million to support those who are struggling or in crisis.

With the countdown now on, participants are deep into their training programmes as they prepare for early starts, long trekking days and the final ascent to the summit.
Matt Robinson, B2B Director, LKQ Euro Car Parts, said: "This will be one of the toughest challenges I've ever tackled, but it pales in comparison to the challenges that some people in our industry are facing. If our trek can help Ben be there for someone who is struggling or in crisis then every step to the summit will be more than worth it."

Pete Brookes, Sales Director, LKQ Bodyshop Division UK & Ireland, said: "I’m both excited and daunted by the prospect of climbing over 4,000 metres, but our sector is built on teamwork and that's what this challenge is all about. We'll be supporting each other every step of the way, just as Ben supports thousands of people across our industry each year."

Jonny Harris, Sales Director, NRF, said: "There’s not long to go now! Mount Toubkal will test us physically and mentally, but that's what inspired me to get involved. I'm proud to be taking on this challenge to raise funds and awareness for a charity that makes such a difference to members of our automotive community and their families."

Ellen Plumer, Head of Awareness & Experience at Ben, said: "We've knowingly signed ourselves up for freezing temperatures, steep climbs, high altitude and a fair amount of suffering, but we're doing it for a cause that matters enormously. Every day, people across our industry face challenges they didn't choose. Ben is there to support them when they need it most, which is why we're asking our automotive community to get behind us and help us reach our fundraising target of £40,000.

“With only weeks to go, the reality of what lies ahead is starting to sink in for us all! We're incredibly grateful to those who have already donated and we're encouraging the wider automotive community to get behind us. Our journey to the summit will be tough, but the difference we'll make to our automotive family will be even greater. I’m also offering companies the opportunity to feature their logo on the summit flag that I'll proudly carry to the top - and on my kit too - to find out more, please email me at ellen.plumer@ben.org.uk.” 

To support the team and donate, visit: https://giving.ben.org.uk/pf/ilc-2026

The ILC is an epic personal challenge taken on each year by an automotive industry leader (or leaders) to fundraise for Ben. Previous ILC adventures have included swimming across the English Channel, skydiving, cycling the Thames, climbing Mount Kilimanjaro and trekking the Sahara Desert. These challenges require extraordinary personal endeavour that tests the challenger(s) both physically and mentally.

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

ENDS