Advantage Travel Partnership is to enter a team including managing director Julia Lo Bue-Said in a gruelling Tough Mudder charity challenge.
Team Mudvantage are taking the endurance course on September 23 in west Sussex to raise £2,500 for water charity Just A Drop.
Tough Mudder events are known for testing competitors’ strength, stamina and determination. They are designed by the Special Forces to push people to their limits and include everything from mud and ice to electric shocks.
The travel agency consortium’s team includes other well-known figures who work at Advantage such as head of commercial John Sullivan and head of business development David Moon as well as director of operations Paul Nunn and marketing campaign and PR manager Danielle de Nervaux.
So far, the team has raised £560 of its £2,500 target.
Lo Bue-Said, who admitted she was already “terrified” at the prospect of taking part, said: “We are all pushing ourselves beyond our comfort zones and knowing our industry friends and colleagues are behind us means a lot.”
She said she was inspired by the stories she had read about the work of Just A Drop to bring clean water, sanitation and hygiene to communities worldwide.
“After attending one of their evening functions a few months ago I became determined to do something to support the charity.
“I was particularly taken back by the story of young girls having no hand washing facilities. Girls and female teachers would also tend to stay at home during their period, impacting on the childrens’ education. I can’t imagine how these girls must feel and this story has affected me and become my source of inspiration.”
Lo Bue-Said said she was now having to start an intensive training routine in a “complete lifestyle change”.
Lo Bue Said and de Nervaux are doing the half course of five miles, while the rest aim to complete the full ten-mile course.