PATRIZIA Hiking Challenge 2025 – Reaching New Heights Together!

Sep. 2025

The fifth edition of the PATRIZIA Hiking Challenge, held in the stunning Dolomites, has wrapped up with great success! Known as the Italian Peaks Challenge, this year’s event was nothing short of extraordinary.

A true testament to team spirit

Set against the stunning backdrop of the Dolomites, the fifth PATRIZIA Hiking Challenge set off from Moos near Sesto. Over two days, 60 participants – a mix of PATRIZIA SE employees and long-standing sponsors – covered routes of more than 20 km a day, with ascents of up to 1,300 metres, reaching heights of 2,500 metres. Fuelled by determination, teamwork and even the unexpected company of two friendly donkeys, the group pressed on – with plenty of smiles and laughter along the way.

The challenge brought together colleagues and partners from across the PATRIZIA network. From the headquarters in Augsburg to teams and sponsors travelling in from London, Paris, Madrid, Amsterdam, Luxembourg, Berlin, Hamburg, Frankfurt, Copenhagen, Zurich, and Milan – this was more than a hike. It was a powerful celebration of perseverance, cross-border collaboration, and the shared pursuit of a meaningful goal – all while creating memories that will last a lifetime.

 

 

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Fundraising Goal Exceeded!

The primary goal of the Hiking Challenge 2025 was to raise vital funds for the PATRIZIA School in Muniguda, India. Thanks to the incredible commitment and generosity of everyone involved, the ambitious fundraising target of € 150.000 has been surpassed: The outstanding result of

€170,000

is a powerful reminder of what can be achieved when people unite behind a meaningful cause.

 

 

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A heartfelt thank you

We extend our sincere thanks to everyone who made this remarkable event possible:

  • To the dedicated organising team and each and every participant – not only for their strength and spirit on the trails but also for their efforts in raising funds ahead of the event
  • To our five main sponsors – for their generous support and for hiking alongside us every step of the way
  • And to the many additional sponsors and supporters – your encouragement and commitment helped make this challenge a reality

Thanks to your incredible support, the PATRIZIA School in Muniguda, India, can now be expanded. This will provide an additional 400 students from the impoverished region of Odisha with access to high-quality education, enabling them to attend secondary school. Most importantly, hundreds of girls from underprivileged and remote areas will now have an alternative to early marriage – opening doors to freedom, independence, and the chance to shape their own futures.

From all of us – thank you.

Would you like to learn more about the PATRIZIA Foundation’s project in Muniguda? Click here for more information:

PATRIZIA School Muniguda

Thank you to our main sponsors:

Thank you to our media sponsor:

We would also like to thank:

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A Musical Programme with Lasting Impact

Young musicians from the MiSST programme welcomed guest with an opening performance.

Throughout the evening, the students further captivated guests with their performances, including Adoration by Florence Price and selected pieces from The Phantom of the Opera.  

An Evening of Shared Vision and Personal Stories

In his welcoming speech, founder Wolfgang Egger talked about the importance of investing in young people and creating opportunities that allow them to thrive — academically, personally and socially. Ambassador Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber delivered a passionate speech on the importance of protecting arts education in the UK, particularly at a time when music and creative subjects continue to face significant cuts within the school system. He spoke movingly about the responsibility to ensure that every child, regardless of background, has access to creativity, culture and music education.

Chairwoman of the Board Astrid Gabler, together with Board Member James Muir, reflected on their recent visit to one of the programme’s partner schools. James shared how deeply a passionate music teacher had influenced him during his own school years and how this experience continues to shape his belief in the importance of the support in education infrastructure. 

Rachel Landon, CEO MiSST, brought the programme vividly to life through inspiring footage and powerful stories from participating students, offering guests a meaningful glimpse into the daily impact of the initiative.

 

One of the evening’s most memorable moments came from Rain Spiegel-Johnson, a former participant of the programme, who shared her personal story and reflected on the impact music education has had on her life. Growing up in a low-income household, opportunities to take part in extracurricular arts education were often out of reach, leaving her feeling excluded from experiences many others could access. Through MiSST, however, she discovered a creativity and confidence that had long remained hidden.

Speaking about her experience, she described music not only as a form of artistic expression, but also as a powerful sense of belonging:

“Through music, I discovered not only artistry, but the profound feeling of being part of an ensemble so unified, disciplined and unwaveringly beautiful.”

She also emphasized the broader importance of the programme, calling MiSST “an outstanding microcosm for the future of music and the arts in this country.”

Thank you!

Thank you to everyone who joined us and our Ambassador, Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber, for the “Thrive Cubed with Music” evening in support of music education in the UK — and for your shared commitment to creating new opportunities for young people through the power of music!

PATRIZIA Music Programme

With the PATRIZIA Music Programme, the PATRIZIA Foundation continues its commitment to educational support and equal opportunities across Europe. The programme was established to provide children and young people from disadvantaged communities in the United Kingdom with access to high-quality music education and to open new pathways for their personal and academic development. In partnership with MiSST, the programme supports schools in Morecambe and Manchester by providing classical musical instruments, professional music tuition and regular performance opportunities. Over the course of three years, the PATRIZIA Foundation is funding 300 instruments, creating long-term access to cultural education and helping young people build brighter futures through the transformative power of music.

PATRIZIA Music Programme