This Summer, Freya Simmonds (L6) has set herself a 5 Lake District Peak challenge to raise money for the Ol Pejeta Conservancy in Kenya; who work to conserve the Northern White Rhino, which on the verge of extinction.

We asked Freya about this challenge and what it means to her below...

Can you tell us a little bit about 5 Peaks, 2 Rhinos, 1 Fight?
5 Peaks, 2 Rhinos, 1 Fight is a fundraising challenge I’ve created to help save the northern white rhino from extinction. Over three days this summer, I’ll be hiking five of the Lake District’s highest peaks: Skiddaw, Crinkle Crags, Scafell Pike, Causey Pike, and Helvellyn in order to raise £1,000 for the Ol Pejeta Conservancy in Kenya. Ol Pejeta is home to the last two northern white rhinos on earth, where this functionally extinct species is cared for. However there is still hope to revive this species through IVF Conservation, and 35 pure embryos already exist and are ready to be implanted into a surrogate black rhino (rhino surrogacy has been successfully proven in 2023). It’s a way to combine my love of conservation, science, and the outdoors into something real and (hopefully!) impactful.

Why did you decide to do this challenge?
I first found out about the story of the northern white rhinos in 2018 when I read an article on the death of the last male northern white rhino (Sudan). As an aspiring vet, I was reminded of these rhinos when writing my independent project, on the role of vets in guiding breeding practices. When I found out that there are only two northern white rhinos left, and that both are female and can’t carry a pregnancy, I began researching the incredible science being used to try and bring them back, like stem cells, IVF, and surrogacy. I wanted to do something to support the work being done at Ol Pejeta and raise awareness that extinction isn’t always final, not if we fight for it.

Have you ever done anything like this before?
Every year my family and I go to the Lake District, or Wales to climb peaks as it is a beautiful way of combining a physical challenge with seeing the stunning landscapes of Britain, however I have never completed this number of peaks in such a short time, or climbed all of the highest peaks in a row. I’m combining the physical endurance of hiking multiple peaks with the emotional challenge of sharing a cause I care deeply about. It’s a huge step up, and I can’t wait.

What are you most looking forward to?
Reaching the top of Helvellyn on the final day will definitely be a highlight. There’s the challenge of striding edge, along with the Red Tarn near the summit you can swim in, and I think it’ll feel like such a celebration to finish there. I’m also really excited to share updates each day and bring people along for the journey. If it inspires even one person to care more about conservation, it’ll be worth it. Probably the most exciting part will be donating the money to Ol Pejeta and then following on their IVF journey to hopefully result in a new calf born in the near future.

What have you done to prepare for this?
The most time consuming part of this fundraiser was the IVF conservation research I have carried out over the past few months. I’ve created a timeline, mapping the rhinos journey from 4 rhinos in 2009 to 2 since 2018. I made the route, built a fundraising page, created a logo and progress tracker, as well as contacting conservationists, vets, and local media to increase awareness of this species. In terms of physical training, practicing endurance is key as 5 peaks in 3 days is no easy task. 

To find out more about Freya's challenge please  click here!