About
Challenging the public sector to make a difference
Chief executive of Brentwood BC and Rochford DC, Jonathan Stephenson, devised the plan to create the Public Sector Challenge after leading his own teams on a similar – if somewhat smaller – challenge in 2022. In 2022, 30 employees from the council raised more than £12,000 for local charities when they took on the Three Peaks Yorkshire challenge – a 26 mile walk and climb over 12 hours. In June 2023, Public Sector Teams, working with Private sector partners, undertook the National 3 Peaks Challenge as part of the first ever national Public Sector Challenge. The challenge was such a success that we want to challenge more people every year to get involved, in whatever way they can, to raise as much money as we can for Cancer Research UK.
Previous Challenges
Three Peaks 2023
In 2023, Jonathan teamed up with The MJ, Solace, the Local Government Association and Socitm to climb the three highest peaks in Scotland, England and Wales within 24hrs – alongside as many public sector staff and their partners as possible.
The plan was to raise £50,000 or more. So how did they do…..
Jonathan Stephenson, CEO of Brentwood and Rochford Councils and Founder of the Public Sector Challenge said
“Against adversity the participants worked so hard in scaling the National 3 Peaks mountains in treacherous weather conditions. Not everyone was able to complete the challenge in 24hrs due to time constraints, weather and travel difficulties but everyone from beginning to end was committed to raising as much for Cancer Research UK as possible and that’s what got everyone through. It’s incredible to think 6 months ago this was a concept and that now (Autumn 2023) after the challenge we can reflect on everyone’s personal achievements and be extremely proud of the over £60,000 raised. Onwards and upwards!
