WHC Hire Team Completes 17 Peaks at the 2026 Malvern Hills Challenge
On Saturday 12th September, more than 300 walkers set off across the 17 peaks of the Malvern Hills for the Malvern Hills Challenge 2026, all in aid of Help for Heroes. WHC Hire Services was proud to be part of the day twice over: not just as a sponsor, but with a team of six from depots across the region taking to the hills.
Walkers started from 7am and had the choice of two routes: a 9km walk or the 18km “Full Monty”, which takes on every peak on the hills. Naturally, the WHC Hire team committed to the longer haul, accompanied by many other enthusiasts. Plenty of them brought their own four-legged friends too.
Throughout the day the weather stayed kind, and by 6pm every walker had been counted in and presented with a medal, with the Town Mayor of Malvern and the Chairman of the Malvern Hills Trust handing them out in the afternoon. Once again Private Derby XXXIV, the ram mascot of the Mercian Regiment, and the Hereford Piper were on hand to welcome walkers down the steps of Rosebank Gardens and across the finish line.
WHC Hire’s team, led by Sean Firth from our marketing team, completed all 17 peaks in just under four hours and were in great spirits as they climbed each section. Along the way they caught up with a member of the organising team walking the route as The Bear, who was taking on the Challenge in a heavy mascot suit.
This year’s Challenge has raised over £17,500 so far, with more donations still expected over the coming month. Every pound will go towards supporting wounded, injured and sick service personnel, past and present, through Help for Heroes.
Help for Heroes supports members of the Armed Forces community to live well after service. Since 2007, the charity has helped more than 25,000 people, including veterans, their families and civilians who served under UK command, such as Afghan interpreters.
The support covers a lot of ground. It includes physical healthcare from nurses and occupational therapists, mental health counselling, and grants towards things like home adaptations and medical equipment. It also offers welfare advice, free online courses through its Recovery College, and sport and social activities across the UK. Families are supported too, because the move to civilian life affects everyone.
WHC Hire has supported the Malvern Hills Challenge for a number of years. The event takes place close to two of our depots in Worcester and Tewkesbury, and the cause is close to the hearts of many members of our team and the businesses we serve.
Sean Firth said, “For many years WHC Hire Services has supported the Malvern Challenge by sponsoring the water bottles for the attendees. But this year we wanted to go another step further. Taking part is essential to grow the awareness of the incredible work that goes into fundraising for Help for Heroes. For WHC, the charity Help for Heroes has supported many families linked with us and the plant hire industry. We look forward to supporting the event again next year, bigger and better.”
That spirit is what our values look like in practice: passion for the cause, care for the people it supports, quality in how we show up and commitment that has kept us behind this event for years and will keep us there for many years to come.
A big thank you goes to the organisers, volunteers, walkers and everyone who donated.