The Atlas Challenge 2020

Atlas Trek 2020

Join Jason Leonard, Simon Shaw and Nick Knowles on a mad cap adventure to deliver a Double Decker Bus converted to a mobile classroom and clubhouse for the kids in the Kibera Slum in Kenya.

A Big Adventure 

This Challenge will be a special adventure for one Trekker, Simon Shaw.

In January 2019 Shawsey met the kids we support from the Kibera Slum in Nairobi. Talking to the project leaders from the Kings Rugby Development Academy he realised that there is a big issue transporting the kids from their slum homes to the green fields of the British School. 

When he talked to the kids he realised that many couldn't even afford to go to school. 

"So it just came to me. I said I was going to get a London bus and fit it out to be a mobile classroom, and drive it to Nairobi for the kids to use." 

Thus the Atlas Annual Challenge Event became a Trek across Kenya, with the added impediment of a double decker bus.

Jason Leonard, Atlas Chairman, will again lead the team, along with Shawsey and the DIY SOS presenter Nick Knowles. We hope this unusual Front Row will be joined by other rugby champions, Atlas supporters and new friends for the 2020 adventure.

When 

5 days, 4 nights: Weds 22nd April to Sun 26th April 2020

Progress to Date

Well... who knew that getting a bus kitted out as a classroom and all the way to Kenya would not be easy??? The project team swing between joy and despair in about equal measure. It has been HARD HARD HARD thus far, but we have a breakthrough...

We are about to buy a bus! 

Check back with us and support as much as you can.

Support our Team 

Jason Leonard

Jason has already raised over £10k for his trek sponsorship this year through a charity Christmas Lunch and private donations.

Simon "Shawsey" Shaw

Raising Money from sponsorship, events and sales of signed rugby balls

Shawsey's page

Mark Willing

Raising Money from sponsorship and events

Mark's Page

Neil Blewitt and Neil Baker

From London Stock Exchange Group. Cycling and golf events

Cyclothon 

Chewie & Backs Page

Jim Hendley

Raising money through sponsorship

Jim's Page

John Clougherty, Sophie Metcalfe and Sally Gillanders

From Fidelity - Cycling events and raising sponsorship

Clocks, Sally & Sophie's page

Nick Stonley

Raised over £30,000 already. What a Champion 🏆

Chris "Northy" North

Our Front Row Club maestro

Northy's page

Nick Knowles

Helping with sponsorship to get the bus fitted out.

Peter (Norm) Nesbit

Running the Stones

Norm's page

Matthew Tawse

Matthew's Page

Robert Nearn

Rob's Page

Charlie Line

Working with Sonny Bill Williams to spread acts of kindness around the world

Charlie and Sonny Bill's Fund

Laurence Geller CBE

Atlas US Chairman 

Atlas US 

... and others

Support the Team

Hemingways Foundation

The Hemingways team are much more than our travel partners. The Atlas Foundation works alongside the Hemingways Foundation to fund rugby and education programmes in Kenya. The hotel group was founded, and is still run, by the Evans family who have deep roots in rugby, as players, owners, and supporters from grassroots to the professional game.

We are proud to be returning to Hemingways, our friends and natural home in Kenya. For more information on the Hemingways Collection please see the brochure below