Recruitment agency Atkins Search and contractor Clegg Construction have teamed up to raise thousands of pounds for Tough to Talk by completing a challenge in the Lake District.
More than 20 people – a mix of staff, family and friends – walked up England’s highest mountain, Scafell Pike.
Opting for the Corridor Route from Seathwaite, the challenge took them seven hours covering around 12 miles, with a 3,000 ft ascent.
Atkins Search has chosen Tough to Talk – a pioneering charity dedicated to breaking the silence around male suicide and promoting mental health awareness – as the company’s charity of 2025/2026 and the Lake District Challenge event raised £2,658.
Clegg Construction representatives joined the event to support the fundraising effort.
It was the third time that the two companies had got together for a walking challenge – undertaking the Yorkshire Three Peaks two years ago and a different Lake District Challenge last year as the weather prevented the team from walking up Scafell Pike at the time.
Operations director at Atkins Search, Laura Belcher said: “This was a serious mountain walk with steep sections and some scrambling, so hats off to all those who took part in the event and helped us to raise vital funds for Tough to Talk, our charity of the year.”
Tough to Talk is a charity close to Atkins Search, and is dedicated to breaking down barriers that prevent men from seeking mental health support. In the construction industry, male suicide rates are almost four times the national average, with over 700 construction-related suicides annually. The construction industry loses four men every day to suicide.
Operations director at Clegg Construction, Darren Chapman, who took part in the challenge along with five colleagues, plus family members, said: “Tough to Talk offers crucial mental health and well-being support to men.
“As a leading construction company, Clegg Construction was pleased to join members of the Atkins Search team to take part in the Lake District Challenge and raise such a large amount for this very worthwhile charity.
“This was the third year we had joined Atkins Search for a walking challenge to raise money for charity. It was particularly pleasing that we managed to conquer Scafell Pike this year, as we had to abandon it last year due to the weather and walk a different route in the Lake District instead. It was quite a tough challenge, given the conditions which included showers, sunshine, fog and wind.”
Atkins Search MD Antony Rowe added: “We’ve worked with Steve Whittle, who’s the founder of Tough to Talk, for the past two years and is very committed to breaking the stigma and re-educate organisations on the issues that are pushing men beyond the brink.
“We’re very grateful to everyone who supported us in the Lake District Challenge – either by taking part or by sponsoring us.”
To support the Lake District Challenge, please donate here via Atkins Search’s Go Fund Me page: https://gofund.me/00e79cde
