Ethel challenge Summer 2026

This summer we are launching a new fundraising campaign. You can find out about Ethels here and find out what you need to do here

Ethel Challenge for Palestine – Bag an Ethel

‘Ethels’ are hills over 400m across the Peak District, named after Ethel Haythornthwaite, the environmentalist and campaigner involved in setting up the Peak District National Park in 1951. Our ‘Ethel Challenge for Palestine’ aims to raise funds for Sheffield Palestine Women’s Scholarship Fund’s 20^th anniversary year. The Fund has been supporting women in education in Gaza and the West Bank, Palestine since 2017.

You can bag an Ethel in solidarity for those, past and present, fighting for the right to roam here for our Peak District National Park (including the Kinder Trespass in 1932) and in solidarity with Palestinians still struggling for the right to roam freely in their own land.

A recently published book has detailed routes and information about 74 of the Ethels: Peak Bagging Peak District by Anna Paxton. There is also a free Ethel Ready App (available through apple or google). And a new book about Ethel herself by Sheffield writer Helen Mort.

Sign up to raise funds/donate to the Sheffield Palestine Women’s Scholarship Fund through our Ethel Challenge campaign page.
Raise a Palestine flag on your chosen Ethel in solidarity with Palestine and our Scholarship Fund students.
Post a photo and your story on your social media and tag us on Instagram @sheffieldpwsf
Send to sheffieldpwsf@yahoo.co.uk and we will add to our Instagram and website celebrating everyone’s achievements.
Have a look at the list of Ethels with grid references and see which one you would like to do

Flags & flag poles (or use your trekking pole) are available from Caroline: Email: poland.cf@gmail.com: subject: ETHEL)

NB: Some of the hills are easily accessible and a short walk, others quite isolated, but there is plenty of information available in books and on the web

What you need to do