Meet our 2025 Hike Bike Paddle teams…
Challenge day has almost arrived for this year’s formidable group of Hike Bike Paddlers! We’re taking a deep dive with our teams to learn more about them, what they’re most excited for, and why they’re taking part…
Team One
Team Captain - Jo-Anne Hicklin | Accessories Technologist
Favourite outdoor activity: Cycling & Running
Favourite piece of Rab kit: Cinder Bib Shorts & Talus Running Shorts
"As Accessories Technologist I work within the very talented Rab product team & directly with our suppliers, taking products from launch through to final production. I live in Derbyshire with my family & my three Hungarian Vizslas dogs. Outside of work I enjoy running, swimming, and cycling. I compete in local races, triathlons & aquathlons.
I signed up to HBP as I enjoy multisport events and have completed the challenge before. It’s a great event, usually with brutally challenging hike/bike routes, and allows an opportunity to spend time outdoors getting to know colleagues across other departments at Equip, and other brands taking part in the challenge. I’m most looking forward to the cycle route… Last year’s cycle route, a climb up to Flash Village nearly defeated me - it can’t be more difficult than that (can it?)
I think the biggest challenge will be the stand-up paddleboard. It’s the last push to complete the challenge after the hike and bike where energy levels are completely depleted."
Natalie Blake | Environmental Compliance Coordinator
Favourite outdoor activity: Hiking
Favourite piece of Rab kit: Xenair Alpine Jacket
"I started my role as Environmental Compliance Coordinator at Rab a few months ago, working within the CSR team. It’s been great getting to know lots of people around the company and learning about all the hard work that the CSR team does to ensure Rab is a leader brand in the sustainability field. In my spare time, I enjoy gardening and getting out into the Peak District for walks, trail runs, and climbs.
For the challenge, I'm most looking forward to being in beautiful North Wales, working as a team to push through the challenges and seeing the final total of all the money raised for the Youth Adventure Trust! What will I find most challenging? Cycling up the hills!!"
Alya Crookes | Personal Assistant
Favourite outdoor activity: Horse Riding
Favourite piece of Rab kit: Horizon Tights
"Hello, everyone! I am delighted to share a little bit about myself. My passions and free time are devoted to my love for horses. I compete regularly with my horses, and more recently, I've been taking my daughter out to compete with her pony, who turned 4 in October. This means that most weekends, we travel across the UK, chasing adventures and competitions. This year, my ambition is to qualify my daughter for the STARS showing competition held at Aintree Racecourse in November.
Professionally, I am part of the Executive Support team and have been for a year now. I thoroughly enjoy the diversity of work within this role; no two days are the same, which certainly keeps me on my toes. The dynamic nature of the job is both challenging and rewarding, constantly offering new experiences. Additionally, I have signed up for Hike Bike Paddle because I love the outdoors and see it as a fantastic opportunity to meet new people and connect with colleagues from other departments. It's also a great way to raise money for a worthy cause. While I am confident in hiking and paddling, I know I will face a challenge on the bike, as it has been a long time since I last rode one. But, as they say, no pain, no gain!"
James Pinder | Visual Content Creator
Favourite outdoor activity: Cycling & Fell Running
Favourite piece of Rab kit: Phantom Jacket
“I’ve been a part of the creative marketing team at Rab for the past two years, but I’ve always had a passion for filmmaking and photography. My day-to-day role at Rab is exceptionally varied - from being hands-on shooting content on-location and in studio to playing at creative direction, producing for shoots and even animation - and of course, lots of editing! It’s this variety that keeps my role fresh, ensures I’m constantly learning something new and means I get to work with lots of lovely people across many different departments. If I’ve not got a camera in hand, you can probably find me on my road bike. Cycling and racing has been a lifelong passion from a young age; I grew up learning to fix bikes in my dad’s bike shop and have many memories of watching my brother compete at National level on both the track and hill climbing. Not scarred by men in lycra and the smell of Deep Heat on a cold morning, one of my own goals is working towards competing in the National Hill Climb Champs this year.
I signed up to Hike, Bike, Paddle after hearing about last year’s event! It looked like a great way to get together as a team, achieve something challenging, all while raising money for a great cause. Naturally, I’m most looking forward to the bike section! The challenge for me, is definitely the hike!! I can’t say I’m the biggest fan of walking, never mind in the early hours of the morning. So long as there’s snacks, I’ll keep moving forward…”
Will Stanton | Head of UK and ROI Sales
Favourite outdoor activity: Cycling, Ski Touring, and Cooking
Favourite piece of Rab kit: Borealis Jacket
“I joined Rab back in summer 2023, leading the national sales team in the UK and Republic of Ireland, covering our key national accounts, regional accounts and working closely with our marketing, product and operations teams. Working at Equip means spending time with super people, and like when you are riding your bike, skiing or whatever, this is what makes the day! As much as I love the mountains, nature and the sports we do, it is people who make the experiences and the gear we use come alive.
I was on the reserve list for HBP, so a last minute place; I’m really looking forward to getting to know people from other departments, while enjoying the day and supporting this brilliant charity.”
Emma Witherford | CSR Data Support Assistant
Favourite outdoor activity: Kayaking
Favourite piece of Rab kit: Xenair Insulated Vest
"I joined Rab in January, having always been interested and enjoying the outdoors. Day-to-day, my job involves analysing and reporting on our sustainability data. Outside of work, I'm mostly found Freestyle Kayaking on the River Trent or hiking in the Peak.
I signed up to Hike Bike Paddle as I'm looking forward to a different challenge and getting to know people away from our desks. The cycling part will be the most challenging I think as I'm much more used to using my arms kayaking than cycling!"
Team Two
Team Captain - Mel Keeble | Commercial Manager
Favourite outdoor activity: Skiing
Favourite piece of Rab kit: My newest purchase, the Firewall Waterproof Jacket in Light Khaki. Not only will it keep me dry, but I love the colour too!
"I’ll be approaching my 6th Rab anniversary this September and cannot believe how fast the time has flown by, must mean I’m having fun! I manage the Commercial Team to ensure the monthly sales and stock targets are achieved and orders are released to pick on time for our B2B customers. At the mercy of supply chain challenges and a complex reservation system, this is no mean feat, as the team work hard to juggle future requirements for customers without taking our eyes off the day-to-day trading. Despite a long commute from Yorkshire, the fantastic people I work with and the excitement of improving efficiencies in a fast-growing company is what keeps me motivated. Outside work, I’m big on fitness, I teach and participate in weekly adult gymnastics, I enjoy running and weight training most days per week. At weekends, I enjoy long cycles with my husband on various cycle paths, trails and usually with nice pit stops for a shandy or 2! In winter, I swap the wheels for skis and head to the alps where the fresh air and the scenery is just breathtaking.
I applied for this event as I enjoy raising money for charity and I like the diversity of doing more than one event back-to-back in a gruelling challenge starting at the crack of dawn. It’s very flat in Yorkshire where I live, so I can say I’m a little apprehensive about the uphill parts of the hike and cycle but will say I’m looking forward to the downhill parts! I think the paddle board will have some challenges as whilst I have great balance and have my own kayak so I’m no amateur at rowing, I suspect co-ordinating the full team on the one board is likely to be both fun but maybe a little bit unpredictable!"
Richard Leedham | Chief Executive Officer
Favourite outdoor activity: Skiing
Favourite piece of Rab kit: Veil XP 20 Pack
"I joined Rab in February 2024. I have spent almost all of my career in the outdoors, and I love the industry. I feel very fortunate to lead such a well respected and renowned British brand, and to work with an incredible team of diverse and talented individuals all over the world.
I have participated in a wide variety of outdoor activities over the years from caving to climbing and from ski mountaineering to diving, never at a particularly high level but always a great way to spend time with friends and family in the outdoors. I now enjoy quite a bit of road cycling, including participating in sportives like the Fred Whitton Challenge, which I have completed several times. I like to get away skiing every season, and I hike and run regularly.
I signed up to Hike Bike Paddle as I know Rab have been huge supporters of the Youth Adventure Trust over the last few years, and I couldn't let our employees take on this challenge without doing it myself! It's also a great opportunity to spend some quality time with the teams. What will I find most challenging? Trying not to get too competitive…"
Zara Loveday | Senior Management Accountant
Favourite outdoor activity: Hiking with friends on the weekends
Favourite piece of Rab kit: Kangri Jacket
"I started regularly hiking in 2023….on New Year’s Day I arrived at a carpark in Edale in the dark at 7am to join a group of complete strangers to hike up Kinder. At the time, my friends and family thought me mad! And to be honest I questioned my sanity as well whilst climbing Jacob’s Ladder! But it turned out to be one of the best decisions I’ve made! I now hike most weekends, and have spent numerous weekends away in Wales and The Lake District with friends I’ve met through hiking. My favourite trip so far is a full week hiking in Madeira last year! Hoping to do something similar later this year!
I'm excited for a fun and challenging day at Hike Bike Paddle, it will be great to do something for such a great cause! What will I find most challenging? Well… having sprained my ankle in March, training has been limited. But I managed the Carrauntoohil horseshoe route in Ireland last month, so I’m back on it now!”
Nicola Radford | Compliance Coordinator
Favourite outdoor activity: Running
Favourite piece of Rab kit: Veil 6L Running Vest
"Outside of day-to-day life at Rab, I have 2 wee boys who keep me on my toes! We have recently moved house, so have been very busy with building work/DIY etc but when I manage to escape all of that I de-stress by running, biking and swimming. I enjoy a challenge and can often be found trying to keep up with Jenny on long runs in the Peaks. I have recently completed a marathon around Baslow and have a few more races lined up before the HBP challenge.
I'm most looking forward to the hike, it's a lovely way to get to know the other people on the team, and also the other teams you meet along the way. I think I'll find the paddle most challenging- it's a killer!"
Jenny Sumner | Import Merchandiser
Favourite outdoor activity: Trail Running
Favourite piece of Rab kit: Apparel would be the Talus Tight Running Shorts, and Equipment would be the Veil 12L Running Vest, all great kit!
"For nearly 7 years, I have been part of the buying team at Rab, working closely with our supply base. The demands of this role can be significant and stressful, and I have recognised how outdoor activities can positively impact my own mental and physical health.
I enjoy trail running and have engaged in several local events this year, such as the Grindleford Gallop, Hathersage Hurtle, and recently Baslow Boot bash, successfully completing my first marathon distance on Strava (at last!).
I feel fortunate to be involved in this year’s Hike Bike Challenge for the second time. This wonderful charity is essential in providing support to young people through outdoor experiences. As a mother of two, my children are lucky to explore the outdoors most weekends, and I see the benefits it brings them; I know that not all young people are as fortunate. I am not a cyclist therefore the bike will be my most formidable challenge! However, I look forward to pushing myself and working as a team to accomplish the event."
Svjetlana Vujasin | Sales Office Administrator
Favourite outdoor activity: Mountaineering
Favourite piece of Rab kit: VR Summit jacket
"As an outdoor enthusiast, I joined the Rab team over two and a half years ago and have thoroughly enjoyed my time as a part of the Commercial and Sales team. I am a Sales Office Administrator for JD, our largest UK account. I also often work additional shifts in our outlet shop, where I love to discuss products face-to-face with customers.
This is my second Hike Bike Paddle event, and it feels just right to support this great cause and raise funds for The Youth Adventure Trust again. I am most looking forward to being outdoors with my colleagues that day, embracing the challenge together, and completing it as a team. There is something truly special about connecting with nature and sharing that experience with others."
Best of luck to our teams!
There’s still time to support The Mountain People, check out their fundraising page for the Youth Adventure Trust below…
Who are the Youth Adventure Trust?
The Youth Adventure Trust uses outdoor adventure and one-to-one support to empower vulnerable young people, aged 11-16 from Wiltshire & Swindon, to fulfil their potential & lead positive lives in the future. They work with them to build resilience, develop confidence & learn skills that will last a lifetime, helping them to face the challenges in their lives.
The Youth Adventure Trust has been using outdoor adventure to inspire young lives for 30 years. Over that time they have helped 1,960 vulnerable young people aged 11-15 and we have facilitated more than 430,000 hours of activity participation. They broaden the horizons of young people who otherwise are unlikely to experience such valuable opportunities. There are no financial barriers to taking part as their programme is entirely free of charge to all the young people, their families and the organisations who nominate them to take part.
You can find out more about the Youth Adventure Trust and their work here.