A keen mountain biker who races in downhill events, Dan Schneider is used to pushing himself to his physical limits. But his self-designed, 3 day fundraiser for The Brain Tumour Charity – what Dan calls his “Challenge for Change” – is set to be his toughest test yet.
Dan, from Fleet, is aiming to become the first ever person to hike up, then bike down the UK’s three peaks – Ben Nevis, Scafel Pike and Snowdon – in 72 hours.
Dan’s mum Penny was a keen mountain biker too
Dan’s “Challenge for Change”
Fitness coach Dan is taking this on in memory of his mum, Penny Schneider, who died in 2024 from a glioblastoma brain tumour – the most common aggressive form of the disease in adults. Dan said:
“Before we lost her, my mum expressed a wish for my dad and me to embark on a campervan trip – a healing journey through England, Wales, and Scotland. She wanted us to combine our passions and do what we all loved most, hiking and mountain biking in her memory.
“During that journey, we visited Ben Nevis, and after a lot of family discussion, the idea for the fundraiser was born.
“This challenge is more than a personal feat. It’s a mission to shine a spotlight on brain cancer and inspire real change by raising awareness and funding for a cause that so desperately needs it.”
Tough training plan
Dan has been training hard with a mix of mountain biking, training in the gym, and running. A recent mountain bike accident – which fractured both elbows – forced him to take a step back for a few weeks, but he’s now back to his regime, and more motivated than ever. Of the three peaks, Snowdon is the one he’s most looking forward to, and also the one he’s most apprehensive about:
“It’s the final peak, and it’s also where I have the fondest and vivid memories with my mum. We hiked it together years ago, and I think reaching the summit will be an incredibly emotional moment for me.”
Fundraising is going well. Dan has an ambitious target of over £8,000 and has raised over £6000 – with Gift Aid – so far.
https://www.justgiving.com/page/2wheels3peaks
Dan, who hopes the challenge will raise awareness of brain tumours as well as vital funds, plans to document the journey of the event with the help of a friend’s videography company. The footage will be used to create a short film, which he plans will be premiered at a cinema in Surrey in August.
It’s now just a case of waiting for the best possible weather for the attempt, with Dan aiming to set off at the end of this month, or early July. And he can’t wait to get started:
“I want to help The Brain Tumour Charity, and the work they do to push for better treatments and offer families the kind of support my mum received. But more personally, I’m motivated by something I didn’t do.
“During my mum’s illness, I told very few people, I kept it to myself for very long and never opened up. When she suggested fundraising for a cause during her diagnosis, I brushed it aside because I didn’t have the strength to share something so personal. That’s something I deeply regret.
“This challenge is not only to raise money and awareness, it’s a way of honouring my mum, facing what I once feared, and doing what we never got the chance to do together.”
Feeling inspired? If you would like to devise your own challenge or take part in one that’s already planned, our community fundraising team is happy to support!