You may have heard the phrase “All round the Wrekin,” but Peter Heap, Principal Recruitment Consultant at Jonathan Lee Recruitment, has taken it to another level by going up and down the iconic Wrekin Hill in Shropshire 100 times! Now, Pete has completed this incredible challenge, all in support of the Veterans’ Café – Telford Mind, raising over £3,400 (so far), surpassing his initial £3,000 target.
Throughout 2024, Pete climbed the 1,334 ft Wrekin Hill to support the Veterans’ Café and Well-being Hub, a community space designed to bring military veterans together. The hub provides a supportive environment where veterans can connect, share experiences, and access vital resources to address their unique challenges.
Pete’s passion for this cause is deeply personal. He shared, “The Veterans’ Well-being Hub is a fantastic service offered by Telford Mind, and as a veteran myself with 20 years of service, I know how valuable it is to have a place where you can talk to people who truly understand. It’s a space for support, advice, and genuine connection.”
Pete’s commitment is shared by his wife, Louise, CEO of Telford Mind. Together, they’ve played a crucial role in establishing the Veterans’ Hub in the Telford area, making a meaningful difference in the lives of local veterans.
Celebrating the Final Climb
Pete’s 100th and final climb was a true celebration, with over 25 people joining him on the trek, including veterans, colleagues from Jonathan Lee Recruitment, football friends, and representatives from Telford Mind. At the summit, the group posed for celebratory photos before descending to a surprise awaiting Pete at the Halfway House.
As Pete reached the halfway point back down, Laura Hollie, Community Development Lead for Yellow Ribbon’s Halfway House, welcomed everyone and handed over to Councillor Reg Snell, deputy mayor of Wellington and Councillor Raj Mehta. The special guests gave heartfelt speeches, thanking Pete for his extraordinary efforts.
Deputy Mayor Reg Snell lightheartedly remarked on the phrase “All round the Wrekin,” saying, “Pete, you weren’t supposed to go up and down!” before congratulating him. Councillor Raj Mehta commended Pete and emphasised the crucial support Telford Mind and the Veterans’ Café provide to the veteran community.
Both expressed their desire to continue supporting veterans before Deputy Mayor Reg Snell presented Pete with a trophy, humorously resembling the Jules Rimet Trophy, acknowledging Pete’s football skills “within one yard!”
A Token of Appreciation
The celebration continued as Jonathan Lee, Chairman of Jonathan Lee Recruitment, presented Pete with a certificate of achievement and a cheque for £2,000 on behalf of the company. Gemma and Adrian from Telford Mind then thanked Pete for his outstanding work, with Pete taking the opportunity to honor his wife, Louise, for her role in setting up the Veterans’ Café.
Mission Accomplished – And What’s Next?
The team concluded the event with more photos and a well-earned rest before completing the final descent. Pete’s fundraising efforts have been nothing short of remarkable, raising over £3,400 to date and setting a new goal of £4,000. If you’d like to support Pete and help him hit this target, you can donate to his fundraiser here.
Never one to rest on his laurels, Pete is already planning his next challenge. Watch this space for what’s to come!
From everyone at Jonathan Lee Recruitment, congratulations, Pete, on this incredible achievement and your unwavering commitment to supporting veterans. Well done!
Want to support Pete’s journey? Donate to his fundraiser here.
Pete is Jonathan Lee Recruitment’s Aerospace and Defence Recruitment Expert and Armed Forces Covenant Champion. To read more about Jonathan Lee Recruitment and the Armed Forces Community click here
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