13 Years of Charity Challenges with Markerstudy Group
Since 2013, 12 Degrees has delivered a series of bespoke annual charity challenges for Markerstudy Group (formerly BGL) — from rowing the Thames to trekking the Jurassic Coast — raising over £210,000 for charity.
We've partnered with 12 Degrees for several years to deliver our annual charity challenge event — and I genuinely wouldn't trust anyone else to support us. From logistics and creative input to on-the-day coordination, Jen and the team go above and beyond every single time.
1 The Brief
[Client Name] needed an annual fundraising event programme that would [opening line — what the client wanted to achieve, e.g. unite teams from across the business, hit ambitious CSR targets, generate momentum behind their charitable giving strategy].
Each year the brief asked 12 Degrees to:
- Design a different physical challenge that could engage 50–100 employees regardless of fitness level
- Deliver against a fundraising target of £[TBC] per event
- Provide structured training and preparation in the months ahead of each challenge
- Handle full logistics, safety planning, and risk assessment for each route
- Create supporter content so non-participating colleagues could follow and donate
2 The Solution
Since 2013, 12 Degrees has designed, planned and delivered a series of distinct charity challenges for Markerstudy Group (formerly BGL). Each event is bespoke — built around the previous year's learnings, feedback from participants, and the charity partner of the year.
Highlights include:
- 2014 — BGL Charity Rowing Challenge: 38 employees rowed 66km of the Thames in a single day, exceeding the £30,000 target by £10,000
- 2022 — BGL Yorkshire 3 Peaks: 30 colleagues conquered the Yorkshire 3 Peaks, raising over £30,000 for charity
- 2023 — BGL Lake District Multi Activity: 30 colleagues took on a multi-activity Lake District challenge, raising over £40,000
- 2024 — BGL Peak District: 30 colleagues completed the Hope Skyline Trek, raising over £50,000 for charity
- 2025 — Markerstudy Trek, Jurassic Coast: 80 colleagues completed the Markerstudy Trek in aid of Cancer Research UK, raising over £50,000
- 2026 — Markerstudy Trek, Lake District: 80 colleagues return for the Lake District edition of the annual Markerstudy Trek
Across the partnership, 12 Degrees has handled training programmes with Olympic-level coaches, professional support crews, multi-stage route planning, in-event safety, charity liaison, and the full participant communications journey from sign-up to celebration BBQ.
3 The Outcome
Since 2013, the programme has become one of the most anticipated dates in Markerstudy's internal calendar — driving cross-team bonding, employee engagement, and meaningful charitable impact.
4 Gallery
Frequently asked questions
For multi-day charity challenges of this scale, we strongly recommend a minimum of 12 months from initial brief to event day. This allows time for a structured training programme, fundraising build-up, participant communications, and critically — securing accommodation. Large group bookings in popular areas like the Lake District, Peak District, and Jurassic Coast are in high demand and venues fill up well in advance. Leaving less than a year significantly limits your options and can affect the quality of the experience.
We've delivered challenges for groups from 30 to 100+ employees and both work well — but group size directly affects planning complexity, particularly around accommodation. Finding suitable large-group accommodation in areas like the Lake District, Peak District, or Jurassic Coast is one of the biggest logistical challenges we manage. Options are limited, get booked early, and often require flexibility on dates. It's one of the key reasons we recommend starting the planning process at least 12 months out.
Yes — every event we deliver includes full risk assessments, safety briefings, support crew, and contingency planning. You and your participants are in safe hands.
Absolutely. We design bespoke charity challenges tailored to your team, your charity partner, and your fundraising goals. Get in touch to start the conversation.
Planning a charity challenge of your own?
From rowing the Thames to walking the Jurassic Coast, we design fundraising events that bring teams together and exceed targets. Let's talk about what would work for you.
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