17 team members from across GT3’s studios have completed the Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge, raising more than £4,000 for Thomas Pocklington Trust following the practice’s ongoing collaboration with the charity on research, engagement and inclusive design.

The challenge, which took place on 15 May 2026, saw colleagues from across GT3’s four studios take on one of the UK’s best-known endurance hikes in support of Thomas Pocklington Trust, a charity working to create equality for blind and partially sighted people in every aspect of society.

The walk marked the culmination of six months of training, bringing colleagues together from across the practice for a demanding 12-hour challenge that saw all 17 team members support one another over the peaks and complete the endurance hike as a team.

As part of that preparation, the team completed training walks along Hadrian’s Wall and up Helvellyn. The Yorkshire Three Peaks itself proved to be an extremely difficult challenge, taking 12 hours to complete, but the team stuck together throughout, kept spirits high and made it across the finish line without injury. Even the sunshine made an appearance.

The fundraising effort follows GT3’s ongoing collaboration with Thomas Pocklington Trust, partnering with the charity on research and development, talks and community engagement, helping deepen its understanding of accessibility, inclusivity and the realities of different lived experiences.

Over the years, GT3 has been working with Thomas Pocklington Trust to sense check designs and strengthen its inclusive design guidelines, helping improve designers’ understanding of how blind and partially sighted people experience public buildings and everyday tasks through lived experience.

The collaboration has also given the team the chance to build genuine relationships with members of the Trust, something that has been both valuable and rewarding. GT3 would strongly encourage other public-facing organisations to explore this support, which Thomas Pocklington Trust offers to any organisation looking to improve its understanding of accessibility and inclusive practice.

The practice decided to take on the challenge as a way to give something back and support the charity’s ongoing work.

Judith Atkinson, Senior Architect at GT3, said: “Over the last few years, it has been a privilege to work alongside Thomas Pocklington Trust and learn from their insight, experience and generosity. That collaboration has helped us better understand the importance of accessibility and inclusive thinking, not just in design, but in the way we work more widely.

“Taking on the Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge felt like a fitting way to support the charity and give something back. It was incredibly tough and took us 12 hours to complete, but it was also a brilliant day and a real team effort from start to finish.

“17 of us took part and everyone stuck together, kept each other going and stayed in great spirits throughout. We’re proud to have raised more than £4,000 for such an important cause, and even prouder to have done it together.”

Thomas Pocklington Trust is a national sight loss charity, working together with blind and partially sighted people to drive social change in education, employment and everyday life. Its network of Sight Loss Councils, led by blind and partially sighted volunteers, work with businesses and services to ensure what they do is accessible and inclusive.

Jack Moffat, Engagement Manager North-East at Thomas Pocklington Trust, said: “We have worked closely with GT3 Architects, and it has been a significant learning curve for both our team and theirs. Through this collaboration, we’ve developed a much deeper understanding of the importance of embedding accessible features into design from the outset.

“By delivering sight loss awareness sessions led by people with lived experience, we’ve been able to share practical insight into what truly makes environments accessible. This is essential not only for improving access to fitness and leisure activities, but also for addressing the isolation often experienced within the visually impaired community.

“Through our partnership with GT3 Architects, we are helping to create more inclusive spaces that give people with sight loss greater confidence and opportunity to participate fully.

“We are incredibly grateful to the team for their ongoing support, and for taking on the Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge to raise funds for Thomas Pocklington Trust. Their commitment will directly support the work of Sight Loss Councils across the North East and Cumbria, helping us continue to drive meaningful change.”

Through the challenge, GT3 has raised vital funds for Thomas Pocklington Trust, while also shining a light on the charity’s work and the importance of creating a more accessible and inclusive society.

For more information or to support GT3’s Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge in aid of Thomas Pocklington Trust, donations are warmly welcomed via the team’s JustGiving page: justgiving.com/page/gt-architects-yorkshirethreepeaks2026.