Tesco produce team climbs 24 Cumbrian summits to raise over £27,000 for Addington Fund

In a remarkable feat of endurance and team spirit, the Tesco Produce Team has successfully completed a two-day challenge to climb 24 summits across Cumbria, during one of the hottest weeks of the year, in support of Addington Fund, a charity dedicated to helping farming families and rural communities across England and Wales.

The team originally set out to raise £15,000. Thanks to overwhelming support, they’ve smashed that target, raising £27,781 and counting.

Hayley Foster, part of the Tesco Produce team said “We chose Addington Fund because of its direct and meaningful impact on the rural and farming community within the UK. Being a part of the Tesco Produce Team, we believe that we wanted to partner with Addington as it’s in the background of our day-to-day job.”

Facing soaring temperatures and steep terrain, the team climbed some of the Lake District’s most iconic peaks over the course of 48 hours, pushing themselves both physically and mentally, all for a cause that lies at the heart of their industry.

“Completing the 24 summits challenge in the Lake District was an incredible and deeply rewarding experience. There was a real sense of achievement and pride in pushing ourselves through such a demanding and beautiful adventure. Each summit brought its own unique challenges and breathtaking views, making the journey as memorable as the finish itself. Crossing that final peak felt like a huge milestone—full of exhilaration, gratitude, and motivation to take on new challenges ahead.”

Addington Fund played an active role throughout the process, ensuring the team had everything they needed to succeed.

“Before the event, Addington Fund provided clear and timely communication, ensuring we had all the necessary information and resources to prepare effectively. Their responsiveness and willingness to address any questions made the planning process smooth and stress-free. During the event, their presence and hands-on support were invaluable. They were proactive in helping and their encouragement boosted our confidence and energy. Their professionalism and friendly approach helped create a positive atmosphere for everyone involved. After the event, Addington Fund continued to support us. Their commitment to ongoing collaboration and improvement was evident and greatly appreciated.”

Jo Webb, Business Development Manager at Addington Fund, said: “We are incredibly grateful to the Tesco Produce Team for choosing to support Addington Fund and for completing such a tough challenge. Farming families face enormous pressures, and the funds raised will go directly to those who need it most. We can't thank the Tesco team, and their supporters, enough for their commitment and generosity.”

“We’d love to speak with anyone who fancies fundraising of any sort; it doesn’t need to be as challenging as the Tesco Produce Team’s mammoth effort, but you can try to top that if you’d like! We’re happy to support anyone who’d like to raise money for us to support rural communities across England and Wales.”

The funds raised will go directly to farming families in need, offering emergency grants, housing assistance, and crisis relief during difficult times.

Hayley added, “We are truly thrilled and grateful for the amount raised through this challenge, over £10,000 above our initial target. The generosity and support shown by everyone involved have exceeded our expectations and made a real difference. Knowing that the funds will contribute to such a meaningful cause adds even more purpose to all the effort put into the event.”

Reflecting on their achievement, the team offered words of encouragement to others thinking about doing something similar:

“If you’re considering doing something similar in the future, I’d say go for it! It’s an amazing opportunity to push your limits, connect with nature, and be part of something bigger than yourself. While it’s definitely challenging, the sense of accomplishment and the memories you create make every step worth it. Plus, knowing that your effort supports a great cause adds extra meaning to the experience.”

For those inspired by the Tesco team’s efforts, donations can still be made at https://gofund.me/b5a69c66