Wellington Place is more than just bricks and mortar; it’s a thriving community powered by people. Our People of Wellington Place series aims to spotlight our community, share their inspirational stories and find out why Wellington Place is much more than a place to work.
Interview with Adam Sanders, one of six Lloyds Banking Group colleagues at Wellington Place taking part in the 100km Sahara Trek.
As part of Lloyds Banking Group’s ambitious fundraising efforts for its charity partner CRISIS, a UK charity that works to end homelessness, a team of colleagues from Wellington Place are preparing to take on a once-in-a-lifetime challenge: trekking 100km across the Sahara Desert.
We caught up with Adam Sanders, one of the participants, to find out more about the trek, the cause, and what training is needed in the lead up to such an impressive challenge.
Can you tell us a bit about your background and current role?
I’ve been with Lloyds since 2000, starting out on a graduate placement. I’ve lived in Leeds for 18 years now and absolutely love the city.
I work in software licensing, helping to optimise how we consume software in the group. It’s a role that touches every part of the business, which means I get to collaborate with a wide range of people.
What’s your favourite thing about your role?
The people. The diversity of the teams and the connections we make across the business are what keep things interesting. There’s no area we don’t interact with, and that sense of working together towards a shared goal is something I really enjoy.
Can you tell us more about the Sahara Trek?
The Sahara Trek is this year’s signature challenge in support of CRISIS, Lloyds’ charity partner. This year, 90 colleagues from across the business, including us six from Wellington Place, will be flying out to Morocco on 22nd November.
After an eight-hour drive into the desert, we’ll be trekking 100km over five days. It’s a fully contained challenge as everything from food and water to medical support is carried with us.
On the fourth day, we’ll also be planting 90 date trees in partnership with the Woodland Trust, contributing to the local environment.
Each participant is aiming to raise at least £4,000 with a collective target of half a million pounds. It’s a huge effort, but one that’s already bringing everyone together through training.
Tell us more about CRISIS. Why was it chosen?
We’re supporting CRISIS, a charity that works to end homelessness. It’s been our charity partner for three years now, and in that time, Lloyds has raised over £4 million for the cause.
The average life expectancy for someone experiencing homelessness in the UK is just 47 for men and 43 for women. This challenge is about going beyond our day-to-day actions and investing in long-term solutions to end homelessness.
Tell us about how you’re preparing for the trek. Any challenges or highlights?
Training has been a mix of long walks and building stamina. I’ve been walking from Chapel Allerton into Wellington Place in Leeds city centre, which is about an hour and 20 minutes. Thankfully, it’s mostly downhill!
One unexpected highlight? Walking poles! I didn’t think I’d need them, but they’ve been a game-changer. Blister pads are essential too.
It’s going to be a real physical challenge, trekking all day, sleeping under the stars, getting up and doing it all again each day. But I am constantly in awe of the idea that we’ll be out there, in the desert and doing something that is so meaningful in aid of a vital charity.
How can people reading the blog support you?
You can donate to the fundraising page here and any donations of £50 or more will also get their picture added to a flag I will be flying from my walking poles !
More importantly, we want to raise awareness about homelessness and challenge the language and assumptions people often have. It’s about changing the conversation as much as raising funds.
What’s something exciting that most people may not know about you?
I’m a massive Bruce Springsteen fan! This year, I’ll have seen him at all five of his UK gigs. Three in Manchester, and two at Anfield! Bruuuucccceee!!!!!
What three words sum up Wellington Place to you and why?
Community – Wellington Place is much more than a place to work; it brings people together. From yoga sessions to beekeeping, there’s a real drive to create a community.
Green – The green spaces are a huge part of that. Whether it’s the square, the terraces or the allotments, there’s a clear commitment to sustainability.
Coffee – We have so much choice when it comes to good coffee. From Caffe Nero and Pret A Manger, to Bean Coffee and Sociable Folk, we’re truly spoilt for choice.
Thank you to Adam for taking part in People of Wellington Place! If you’d like to take part in the series, please email info@wellingtonplace.co.uk
