I'm joining The King's Trust CEO Challenge
In September 2026, I am joining a team of senior business leaders completing The King's Trust CEO Challenge.
At a recent event celebrating International Women's Day, the story that uplifted me the most was not from CEO's or the Boardroom, it was from a young woman, a Kings Trust recipient, who had transformed her life with their support, going from prison to successful entrepreneur. I was struck by the power of a helping hand and a bit of belief to make a difference, not just to her own life, but to all the lives now benefitting from her business and her leadership.
There are nearly 1 million young people across the UK not in employment, education or training. They often feel hopeless about their future, struggling with low confidence, poor mental health and barriers to opportunities.
Youth unemployment is one of the 6 societal challenges that myself and the team at Pod are committed to doing our bit to help solve. We've been busy creating placement opportunities in the workplace but we're keen to raise awareness more broadly.
EDF, our parent company, are also doing great work in this space providing opportunities to over 5,000 young people to start their careers and partnering with upReach, an award‑winning social mobility charity that helps more than 3,000 undergraduates from lower socio-economic backgrounds access and sustain graduate career opportunities.
So, as part of The Trust's 50th anniversary, I've agreed to swap the office for the Scottish Highlands for 3 days of having my resilience and courage tested (which if there's anything to do with heights involved, it absolutely will!)
Our team of business leaders are aiming to raise £500,000 collectively, to show that we believe in the next generation, the future leaders of our industries and our society. The funds will enable The King's Trust to continue being there for young people, giving them the skills and confidence they need to succeed.
Please donate, and show your support too. 100% of your donation will go to the Trust - all costs of the Challenge have been covered already. In addition, EDF have committed to match all funds raised so every pound you give will have double the impact.
My Achievements
Updated profile photo
Shared fundraising page
Made a self-donation
Reached 50% of fundraising goal
Reached 100% of fundraising goal
Challenge complete!
My Updates
Challenge complete!
Thursday 24th Sep
Thank you to my Sponsors
£5k
Melanie Lane
£2.61k
Anonymous
We love you Mel! An inspiration and an absolute legend!
£2.5k
Anonymous
£1.63k
Everyone At Pod!
£1.5k
Anonymous
£1,000
Steve Gooding
£1,000
Anonymous
£250
Holmes Family
Good luck Mel to you and your colleagues. It’s such a great cause 👏
£250
Liz&steve Francis
Good luck and hopefully enjoy the experience xx
£250
Steven & Pavita Cooper
Good luck! Great event for a great cause
£250
Johnnie M
Love THIS! True leadership walks the talk… and you’re leading the CEO clan.
£250
Amanda Nelson
Such a great cause Mel! Well done you!
£250
Toby Irvine
Good luck, Mel! A great cause and I hope the Scottish highlands are kind to you!
£250
Rita Clifton
Good luck Mel! Great cause…xx
£250
Ulrika Wising
You go girl!! I’ll be cheering you on from a sofa back home 😂
£250
Up For Change Ltd
I’m in awe, Mel! What a wonderful endeavour for a great cause. Very happy to donate and wish you the best of luck. Julia x
£200
Barbara Lane
So proud of you Mel and for supporting such a worthy charity
£200
Stephen Jones
Great cause - good luck!
£110
Ed Airey
£100
Cheryl
Best of luck Mel & team - such a worthy cause and a really inspiring challenge. Mind the Avon skin so soft oil for those boss level Scottish midgies.
£100
Phil Clark
Fantastic Mel. well done
£100
Fiona Lane
Well done honey what a great thing to do
£100
Anonymous
Good luck Mel!
£100
Denise
Good luck Mel! Not sure as to what will be the bigger challenge - the great outdoors or the egos of some of the other CEO’s! Hope you link up with a good group and find it to be an enjoyable experience!
£100
Jo Rice
Go, Mel, go!
£100
Anita Guernari
Go Mel! What a great way to raise money for such a brilliant cause. Good luck and enjoy! 💚
£100
Anthony Bell
Good luck Mel!
£100
Martin Walsh
Best of luck.
£100
Marrit Dikker Hupkes-gernaat
You rock girl! Can not wait to hear all the stories afterwards.
£100
Jacky And Andrew Parsons
How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, proclaim peace and salvation. Go Mel!
£75
Claudia Long
Go Mel You'll smash it Great cause Good luck
£75
Claudia Long
Go Mel You'll smash it! Great cause Good luck Claud x
£55
Paul Turnbull
Good luck Mel. Pack multiple pairs of comfy socks.
£55
Hamish Phillips
Best of luck Mel - what a brilliant challenge to undertake, and for a fabulous cause.
£55
Marksteen Adamson
Proud to know you. Go smash it 💥👌🏽🌟
£55
Phil Middleton
Looking forward to hearing more about the fireside chats :-)
£55
Stephanie Francis
To my amazing & inspirational sister! Such a great cause XX
£55
Els
Hi Mel, I’m so proud we’re supporting this organisation and very impressed with your personal efforts this week! Thanks for helping create equitable opportunities for young people ♥️
£55
Julie Sharpe
Amazing, Mel. Such a great cause. Love The Sharpes
£55
Baz
£55
Caroline Crewe-read
You are an inspiration Melanie Lane, and we have no doubt you will smash this, as you do everything! Caroline, Nigel, Izzy, Toby & Lara x
£55
Rachel Lockyer
Enjoy! We have no doubt you'll show 'em how it's done... heights and all! RnR xxx
£55
Rosie Amess
Cheering you on!
£55
Amanda Lightstone
Way to go, Mel!! So impressed, but really not surprised that you are stepping up to this mammoth challenge. Wishing you every success!!
£55
Mary Fletcher-louis
Well done Mel!
£55
Andrea Trimble
Mel, boss those dudes. Miss you x
£55
Jo And Al
Congrats Mel! Great effort!
£55
Ashley Boaden
A brilliant leader and a worthy cause. Amazing work being done to support young people who need help.
£50
Julie Wareham
You're always inspiring and fully dedicated to any cause you take on. The King's Trust is a fabulous reason to literally keep taking one step after another; bravo!
£50
Clare Hurst
You can do this Mel. Wonderful cause xx
£50
Bryan & Meg Stonehouse
Go for it Mel !! Best wishes Bryan & Meg
£50
Maria Henderson-protsik
£50
Emma & Mark
Amazing effort for a fantastic cause. Hope the legs hold up and the views make it worth it!
£50
Pieter Van Maren
Great initiative, Mel! Best of luck 💪
£50
Vicky Lee
£50
Daniella Mccaskill
£50
Colin Hennessy
£45
Mike & Maggie Turnbull
Such a good cause - well done, Mel!
£40
Nicholas Robinson
Well done Mel!!!
£40
Azalia Francis
You’re amazing! Such a brilliant thing you’re doing! Xxxx
£30
Charlotte Dennis
What a fantastic challenge for such an amazing cause! Really inspiring, Mel. Well done! Go smash it!!
£25
Charlotte Starkmann
What an cause and an amazing challenge
£25
Tom B
Good luck Mel and thank you for backing such a brilliant cause!
£20
Henry Saville
Our Fearless and trusted leader strikes again, go get them Mel! Warm and comfy shoes are a must! :)
£20
Kirsty Bell
One small contribution towards a very big challenge. Good luck, Mel! We’re all behind you :)
£20
Ioannis Chatz...
£20
Ben Ruhle
Good luck Mel
£20
Agata Szymanowicz
Good luck! You really walk the talk - literally :-)
£20
Anonymous
£20
James Hardy
Good luck Mel! :)
£20
Asya Cahill
Love this, Mel - just when we think you couldn't be a better leader, you go and prove us wrong!!
£20
Cynthia And Paul
Great cause and good luck!
£20
Rae Morgan
I hope you have some whisky to keep you warm!
£20
Hollie Bishop
Good luck Mel. Thanks for walking the walk for such a great cause! x
£20
Carley Rae
There's no better place to take on this challenge. Best of luck.
£20
Stuart Barlow
Watch out for midges! Great cause.
£10
Connor Reevell
£10
Lindsay Aubrey
Good Luck! Hope its a brilliant experience.
£10
Issy Soobiah
£10
Nana Prempeh
£10
James Taylor
Go Mel! Hope youve got a good anorak
£10
