Close Brothers’ North Downs Ultra Challenge story

In 2025, a team of 17 colleagues from Close Brothers Property Finance took on the North Downs Ultra Challenge, raising £19,000 for Rennie Grove Peace, in memory of their friend and colleague Mark Ryan, who was cared for by Rennie Grove Peace before he sadly passed away in 2024. 

On behalf of the Close Brothers team, Lending Manager Mark De Jager told us why it was important to the team to remember him in this way: 

“We signed up for the Ultra Challenge as a team to do something meaningful together, in memory of our colleague and friend, Mark Ryan.  

“Mark was an integral part of our team for 14 years, and his loss in 2024 at the age of just 39 was felt deeply by everyone who knew him. He was a wonderful husband to Lara, a proud father of three, a colleague and a great friend to many, and we all miss his dry sense of humour and dance moves!“

Mark Ryan

“Rennie Grove Peace holds a very special place in our hearts as a team. The care and support they provided to Mark and his family towards the end of his life and beyond was exceptional, and something we will always be grateful for. Taking on the challenge felt like a tangible way to give something back, while honouring Mark together as a team. 

“The North Downs Ultra Challenge stood out because it felt like a real test – 50km is no small undertaking and doing it in the middle of summer heat made it even more of a challenge.  

“We took part as a team of 17 colleagues. The challenge meant different things to each of us, but the common thread was wanting to remember Mark and support a charity that had such a personal impact on him and his family. 

“It also became something bigger, a shared experience that brought the team closer together, as we remembered and reflected on our friend. It was our 5th team challenge and on the day the conditions were tough, but the atmosphere and support along the route were incredible.“

“Walking 50km in extreme heat really tested us, but there was a great sense of camaraderie and a feeling that we were doing something genuinely worthwhile. There were definitely moments where it felt difficult and some regrets may have been voiced, but we kept each other going and stayed focused on why we were doing it. Crossing the finish line gave us all a huge sense of achievement and pride, knowing that we had done it for Mark and for a cause that means so much to us all. 

 ”We were absolutely delighted to raise over £19,000, which exceeded our expectations and was a testament to the generosity of our wide network of friends, family and customers. A big part of that came from sharing Mark’s story and why we were taking on the challenge, and we were overwhelmed by the support we received. It was clear to us just how well regarded, respected and genuinely liked Mark was, not just within our team but across the wider property industry where he worked. 

“We kept momentum going by sharing updates in the lead-up to our challenge and encouraging fundraising efforts, including hosting a quiz night at our offices with prizes donated from local businesses. Taking part in the challenge was our way of honouring Mark, and the level of support we’ve received has been incredibly moving. It’s something we’re all very proud to have been part of.”