About me: I’m Darren, a commodity trader working as head of the Voluntary Carbon Desk for Gunvor, where I trade and invest in projects that aim to reduce carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. I am a founding trustee of LTSB, where I’m the longest serving board member having been involved since 2012! I’ve always seen my role to be a champion of what LTSB does, bring in support, jobs for young people and most importantly money from corporates and individuals and this challenge, I hope will achieve all of these. Joe and I first met when the charity started back, and we’ve been working together for over 10 years now. I’ve been a big supporter of Action for ME having seen what Kate has gone through over the past 8 years. To do this challenge for all three charities is a real honour.
What I'm most looking forward to about the challenge: When Joe mentioned that he was planning on doing something to raise money, I told him I was ‘in’ before even knowing what the challenge was going to be!!!! Strangely, I’m really excited to do the training, especially as my wife Catherine will be taking on the challenge with me. I see and hear on a daily basis what an amazing job she does with the young people and the corporates LTSB works with and the life changing opportunities that we provide - this in itself is a great motivator. I’m a firm believer that one needs to be challenged, and having never climbed any of these peaks (not that I’ve climbed any peak to be honest) it will be an amazing experience for mind and body and to appreciate the beauty of three countries in 24 hours, as well as the comradery that we will develop between the teams – one team one dream…
What I'm least looking forward to about the challenge: At 6’2 and ‘probably’ carrying a few extra pounds, walking 26 miles up and down the three highest peaks in the UK is a challenge in itself. 10 years ago, I completed a walking challenge (54 miles in 24 hours) and can still remember the state of my feet and knees after that - it took weeks of recovery! I’ve bought much better walking boots this time... However, for me, the hardest part will be the travel in between the mountains. The plan is a repeat of 5 hours’ bus travel followed by 5 hours’ walking. Will I be able to stretch sore, tired and stiff legs? Will I get any sleep and in the middle of the night when we start the third climb, and how will my body react? And I’ll be sharing said bus with 8 other smelly and tired teammates - should be fun…
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