2025 Specialized 3 Peaks Challenge

30/05/2025

2025 Specialized 3 Peaks Challenge final total……..
£5484.25 !!!
Thank you, thank you, thank you all.

18/04/2025

We did it !
What an exhausting but amazing day . I’m so proud of this team , every one of them proved something to themselves.
Thank you so much to everyone who has sponsored us , your support kept us going .

04/04/2025

As we approach our big day, it’s time to announce that this year we will be walking in remembrance of a few people who are no longer with us.
First up is Leila Sampson. I think it’s fair to say that without Leila’s inspiration that Specialized Project would not be what it is today. Leila sadly lost her brave battle with cancer in 2011, aged just 17.
I met her mother ( Michelle) and stepdad a few months later at an early Specialized gig, and have been honoured to call them both friends from that day.
Tragically, in June 2023 we also lost Leila’s stepdad Neil. Neil was loved by everyone who knew him, and is missed by us all in the Specialized community.
A few months after losing Neil, Specialized was in shock again as we lost another legend , this time Big Fat Panda singer Andrew Laidlaw. Andrew and his band, along with The Skapones, provided the soundtrack to our last major walking event, The Specialized 500. His passing left another huge hole in all our lives.
Lastly, but by no means least, we remember John Gardner. John was our oldest participant on the original 3 Peaks Challenge in 2019, and a huge part of the Ska scene in general.
Love your life. Do the things that scare you. Just embrace it all . Because tomorrow is never promised.
Big love,
Uncle Phil

01/04/2025

April is here !! Just 11 days to go until our big day, and I guess it’s time to unveil this years squad !
Coming back for more punishment are 2019 team members Katie Seabrooke, Dave Halliwell, Steve Goode and Phil Smith.
They’ll be joined by Dave Halcrow, Brett Rosella, Thea Anderson, Laura Langley, Adrian Chester, Sophie Craig, Ellie Smith, Keelan Heath, Owen O’Callaghan, Cat Leah, Scott Markie and Jack Holmes.
Our support team consists of Linda and Jack Markie, Neil Anderson and Sarah Smith.
You can support us here https://www.justgiving.com/page/philip-smith-1737911480534?utm_medium=FR&utm_source=CL

Or here https://gofund.me/fab65f55
Many thanks.

Help Philip Smith raise money to support Teenage Cancer Trust

25/03/2025

16/03/2025

Afternoon team members, a reminder that our next planned warm-up is at Rutland Water next Sunday March 23rd at 9 am.Head for Normanton Car Park Parking lot, 23 Normanton Rd, Edith Weston, Oakham LE15 8HD. As parking is charged it’s probably best to go in as few cars as possible, so if anyone wants a lift / has room in their cars please reach out. Bring food/ water for the day, it’s a 15 mile yomp so make sure you’re prepared. This will be our last big group walk so it’s the perfect opportunity to prepare as you will on the day. Big love, looking forward to seeing you all x
Uncle Phil.

04/03/2025

Morning all members of the team !! Hope you’ve recovered from the mud-fest on Sunday 😆
Next team walk planned for Sunday 23rd at Rutland Water, I’ll give details of time and meeting points near the day.
If you haven’t already, just a reminder that accommodation fees are due in at the weekend, if you’re struggling please let me know and we can come to some arrangement, I don’t want anyone to miss out.
Also, if anyone knows of a local company or business ( or even an individual) who would like to sponsor our food for the weekend please get in touch, we’ll mention them on all our social platforms and in the video that will go out after we’ve completed. Nice bit of cheap advertising for someone.
Have a great day,
Uncle Phil.

02/03/2025

Another weekend, another practice walk for the big day. Lots of sunshine , but still plenty of mud !!

24/02/2025

IMPORTANT POST FOR ALL TEAM MEMBERS !!!!
Team walk taking place this Sunday 2nd March, 9am,around Burton / Finedon / Pytchley area. If you’re coming please prepare accordingly, with rucksack/ food/ drink/ proper footwear. The biggie is only a few weeks away now. This isn’t just about fitness, it’s about preparation, and getting used to how it will feel on the day.
Payment for accommodation ( £70 pp) is required by 8th March please, dm me for payment details.
If anyone wants headed sponsor forms I now have some printed up, please let me know.
Many thanks , Uncle Phil 👍

01/01/2025

Happy New Year 2025 one and all !! It’s now only 14 weeks til our big weekend, so I’ll be ramping up the ‘ enthusiasm’ over the coming weeks. If anyone has any questions about the weekend please don’t hesitate to get in touch, I’ll be reaching out to you all singularly soon to make sure you’re all still on board and get payment for the barn we’re using . Big love, stay fit !!
Uncle Phil.

17/11/2024

Hi all, now Specialized The Big One is over it’s time to fix my attention onto The 3 Peaks ! ( if you want something doing ask a busy man ).
A few people have asked me what sort of equipment, if any, they will need on the day . So here’s your list to give to Santa if you haven’t already got these things.

Walking boots. They don’t have to cost the earth, the pair I’ll be using cost £35 from Mountain Warehouse.
Get them as soon as and break them in. Don’t just rock up on the day in new boots, you’ll be crippled 10 miles in.
Decent socks. At least 2 pairs, preferably more. I swapped over halfway round last time and it felt lush.
Walking trousers. Not jeans. Seriously, not fu***ng jeans.
Torch. Although we will all aim to do it in 12 hours, you never know. Better to be safe .
Rucksack. Again don’t spend a fortune. But you’ll need one.
Water/ wind proof jacket. And lots of layers. We won’t know the weather. Better to take things off than be shivering all the way round. It definitely IS possible to die from hypothermia up there.
And that’s about it . Obviously there’s smaller stuff that I’ll go over nearer the time, but there’s your wish list.
I’ll be on here a lot more over the next couple of months, giving you tips and answering any questions. And it will soon be time to pay for our accommodation, which is coming up at about £65 person for the 2 nights.
And if you’re thinking of dropping out, please let me know asap. I’m going to be hitting the fundraising trail soon so I need to know who to trust. I’ll be messaging you all privately soon so look out for that .
Big love to you all,
Uncle Phil.