Joe Maden, from Barrowford, has now reached a significant milestone in his extraordinary mission to climb all 214 Wainwright peaks in the Lake District by surpassing the halfway point.
Joe, an amputee who has aptly named his challenge the ‘One Legged Wainwright,’ has created an incredible fundraising drive for Pendleside Hospice.
What began as a personal goal has transformed into an inspirational story of perseverance, generosity, and community support. Joe has never let his physical challenges hold him back, and he has now set his sights on completing all 214 Wainwright peaks by June of next year. Despite the colder season approaching, Joe continues to push forward, often accompanied by his brother-in-law, Wayne, and even some Pendleside Hospice staff members who have joined him on a couple of occasions.
However, the heart of Joe’s story is about more than just his personal achievement. Thanks to his wife’s suggestion, Joe decided to dedicate his efforts to raising funds for Pendleside Hospice. His initial target was £5,000, a goal which he has already exceeded.
One of the most memorable moments of Joe's fundraising journey came in early September when he set out to climb a peak named Robinson, coincidentally the same name as his employer, Robinson & Lawlor. Recognising the perfect opportunity, Joe’s boss, Steven Robinson, came up with a generous idea: for every Robinson & Lawlor employee who joined Joe on the climb, Steven pledged to donate £100 to Pendleside Hospice. This creative initiative turned the hike into a significant fundraising success.
Joe added, “This was a great incentive for me! My aim was to raise a grand from this hill alone, but in the end, 14 of us walked up Robinson together, which resulted in a £1,700 donation from the company - more than expected! I was absolutely over the moon.”
“I got the JustGiving notification about the donation while I was already on my next challenge, walking up Skiddaw Little Man,” Joe recalled. “I literally ran up the last 100 metres—it was a real adrenaline boost! I want to thank my boss, Steve, for his generous donation and for getting behind his team.”
“Over the last six months, I’ve realised that I’m in a position to help people. Somebody once told me to turn every disadvantage into an advantage, and if I can use this challenge to help people who are in a worse position than me, I will.”
Despite already surpassing his initial fundraising target, Joe is not stopping there. With a clear understanding of the Hospice’s financial needs, he has now increased his goal to £10,000, knowing that the funds he’s raised so far are likely already making an impact. “The sad thing is, the money I’ve raised has probably already been used, so I’ve raised my target to £10,000,” Joe said.
One of Joe’s colleagues, who also took part in the Robinson climb, expressed deep gratitude for the Hospice’s work. “My mum was cared for by Pendleside Hospice this year, and knowing the great work they do in the community, it was a proud moment to stand at the top of the hill with Joe and fellow colleagues. I’m incredibly proud of Joe and what he’s doing for Pendleside.”
Steven Robinson, Joe’s employer, also shared his admiration for Joe’s determination and success. “Everyone at Robinson & Lawlor is really proud of Joe for what he’s achieved. He’s an inspiration to us all, and we’re thrilled to support him on his incredible journey.”
As Joe continues toward his goal of completing all 214 Wainwright peaks, he’s bringing more people along for the ride. Recently, he reached out to David Fishwick on X (formerly Twitter), asking if he could arrange a helicopter ride down from his final summit, Latrigg. Fishwick enthusiastically agreed, praising Joe’s achievements so far.
Joe has also connected with the Council of Bens, a group dedicated to supporting charitable causes and male mental health. The group has committed to supporting Joe on his final climb, further cementing the community spirit that has defined his journey.
As Joe continues to inspire others, we remain grateful for his efforts and the incredible funds raised. Pendleside requires over £6 million annually to operate, with £4.9 million coming from fundraising efforts. Joe’s remarkable journey is making a significant impact in helping the Hospice continue providing care, compassion and support to those who need it most.
For those wishing to support Joe’s challenge or learn more about his fundraiser, please visit his JustGiving page. And for anyone inspired by Joe’s journey, we welcome all fundraising efforts, big or small. Contact our fundraising team at [email protected] to get involved.