A GP working in Bath and Swindon has made it her mission to complete the Three Peaks Challenge in May in support of women’s non-profit organisation Let’s Get Our Knickers in a Twist.
L-R Dr Rigby and team members together
Teaming up with seven other women, Dr Claire Rigby from Circle Health Group intends to climb Ben Nevis, Scaffel Pike and Snowdon.
Founded in 2022, Let’s Get Our Knickers in a Twist is a female-led nonprofit organisation that supports women, regardless of their circumstances, with the dignity and comfort that new and clean underwear brings.
For women experiencing poverty, displacement or crisis, underwear is often the last item considered but one of the most essential. As well as monetary donations, the organisation collects new, unopened packs of underwear, which are then distributed to local refuge and women’s shelters across the UK. Each donation helps a woman in need restore her dignity and confidence. To date, the initiative has provided women in need with 16,202 pieces of underwear.
Joining Dr Rigby on the challenge are, Sally Chamberlain (team leader), Alison Cundy, Claire Rigby, Sophi Unwin, Louise Hutton, Mel Rushe, Reb Grainzevelles and Elizabeth Gasson Hargreaves.
Dr Rigby, a GP working at Circle Health Group’s Bath Clinic and Ridgeway Hospital in Swindon, hopes to raise £5,000 and many pieces of underwear by completing the Three Peaks Challenge.
Her attempt will take place in May and involves Dr Rigby and her team successfully climbing the three highest mountains in England, Scotland and Wales. Each mountain should take 5-6 hours to scale and descend. Once completed, each team member will have individually walked 27 miles and ascended a total of 11,000 feet.
To support the initiative, both Bath Clinic and Ridgeway Hospital will be helping to fundraise for the initiative with donation points in the reception areas of each hospital.
Dr Claire Rigby, GP at Circle Health Group, said:
“Underwear poverty is a significant issue affecting vulnerable women. We aim to help those women most at need by providing new underwear restoring both dignity and confidence”
Kogie Naidoo, Executive Director of Bath Clinic, said:
“All of us here at Bath Clinic are extremely proud of Dr Rigby and her team for taking on the Three Peaks Challenge in aid of such an important initiative. We feel a deep connection to the mission of this non-profit organisation. Being part of Let’s Get Our Knickers in a Twist has opened our eyes to the challenges many face, and it motivates us to work harder, to advocate for change, and to make a difference. We feel fortunate to contribute to such a noble cause.’’
Kate Liddington, Executive Director of Ridgeway Hospital, added: “Let’s Get Our Knickers in a Twist is an incredible initiative making a difference to the lives of thousands of women each year. We couldn't be prouder to be backing Dr Rigby and look forward to continuing to support the organisation and it’s work throughout 2025.”
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