In just over a year, Bath Challenge, the University of Bath's adventure fundraising group, has raised more than £250,000 for charity through ambitious expeditions and student-led fundraising efforts.
Founded in 2025 by Fayyaz Ahmed alongside Seren De Court, Daniel Comley, Victoria Mañach, Harri Pickett, Leo Sagal, Niloofar Shamlooahmadi and Ella Walker, Bath Challenge brings together students who love the outdoors, thrive on adventure and are passionate about making a difference through fundraising.
Combining challenge, community and charitable impact, the group has quickly become one of the University's most inspiring student-led initiatives.
Their impact so far
These fundraising totals represent far more than numbers. Behind every pound raised are months of preparation, training and fundraising by students committed to supporting causes they care deeply about. In less than two years, Bath Challenge has demonstrated the incredible impact students can have when they combine ambition with purpose.
This impact was also recognised at our annual SU Awards night in 2025, with the group winning ‘Best Awareness Raising or Fundraising Activity’, a testament to the amazing effort by the Mount Kilimanjaro team.
Beyond the funds raised, Bath Challenge has created opportunities for students to develop resilience, leadership skills and lifelong friendships through shared experiences that extend far beyond the expedition itself.
Leo Sagal, Co-Founder: After meeting some of the best people I've ever known, raising over £100k for charity and summitting Kilimanjaro, there was no chance it was going to end there. We created Bath Challenge as something that could outlast our time at Bath, giving future students the chance to indulge in the same incredible experiences, friendships and adventures that we did.
Fayyaz Ahmed, Co-Founder & Kilimanjaro 2025 Challenge Leader: Bath Challenge has and always will be about bringing more good into the world. We wanted to create something that pushes us beyond what we think we’re capable of, and use that energy to stand up for social issues that matter. The challenges meant everything to me, they gave me more than I could have known. They have done the same to the others this past year, and will continue doing so for future teams. Bath Challenge is about choosing positivity and hopefully leaving things a little better than we found them.
Creating a community
One of the things we are most proud of at The SU is seeing students make the most of their time at Bath. Being part of a student group allows students to pursue their passions outside of their academic studies, develop new skills and build lasting friendships.
From societies and sports clubs to volunteering projects, student groups offer an incredible opportunity to find your community. Bath Challenge is a fantastic example of this, with each expedition bringing together more than 30 participants united by a shared goal.
For every participant, the challenge begins long before they set foot on a mountain trail. Each member commits to fundraising for their chosen charity, demonstrating dedication, resilience and a commitment to creating positive change.
Alongside their expeditions, Bath Challenge also hosts two weekly socials, including a Sunday fitness training session that is open to anyone looking to get involved.
Seren De Court, Co-Founder & Everest Base Camp 2026 Challenge Leader: The reason I joined Bath Challenge is because I hadn’t found my feet in university yet. I was beginning my second year and wanted to do something I was going to remember forever with some like-minded people. Supporting MRF and Student Minds in consecutive years educated me on important causes that affect people every day. Supporting these causes has inspired a sense of purpose within me, and has also allowed me to respect charities even more.
Kilimanjaro was the toughest challenge I have ever done, it made me realise how far my body could really take me. Everest Base Camp will hopefully do the same, alongside my closest friends, and family. Next year I will take on Budapest Marathon, again pushing myself out of my comfort zone and also prioritising my health and wellbeing.
Victoria Mañach, Co-Founder & Everest Base Camp 2026 Challenge Leader: Bath Challenge has taught me more about myself and what I’m capable of than anything else I’ve done - it has added SO much to my experience at university. From taking on incredible challenges together to raising a life-changing amount for charity, I know I'll look back on everything we’ve achieved with genuine awe and gratitude. Thank you to everyone who has been part of the journey.
What’s in store next
Bath Challenge already has exciting projects on the horizon. In August 2027, participants will spend six days trekking Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest mountain in Africa and the world's tallest freestanding mountain. Then, in October 2027, the group plans to take on its first international marathon in Budapest.
With ambitions continuing to grow, the group is working towards an impressive long-term goal of raising £1 million for charity by 2035.
For students looking to push themselves beyond their comfort zone, make lifelong friendships and support meaningful causes, Bath Challenge offers a unique opportunity to do all three.
You can find out more information on the Bath Challenge page.
The group has no plans to slow down. As future teams take on new challenges, they will continue building on the remarkable foundations established by the founders and early participants. Whether through taking part in an expedition, supporting fundraising efforts or following their journey, there are plenty of ways to help Bath Challenge continue making a difference.