Our Challenges Team
By taking on your challenge event with Dig Deep you are transforming the lives of the communities we serve. Our team is committed to providing exceptional, personalised support to all our volunteers - from the moment you sign up right through to celebrating your challenge achievement.
Check out the people who will be there to support you every step of the way throughout your time as a Dig Deep volunteer.
Jas Swanston
(She/her)
Challenge Event Manager
Jas first got involved with Dig Deep in 2020 when she signed up to be the Team Leader for the Loughborough University Kilimanjaro team. Whilst studying at Loughborough, she took on 5 charity challenges, so has lots of advice for our fundraisers.
After graduating, Jas spent a year working as the Rag Chair at Loughborough Students’ Union. This involved overseeing all charitable activity across the campus, leading to over £500,000 being raised for charity in the 2022/23 academic year.
Simon Franklin
(He/him)
Managing Director
Simon joined Dig Deep in 2017 after completing a PhD in Sports, Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences at the University of Birmingham.
During his PhD, he fundraised for Dig Deep by taking on our Kilimanjaro and Mount Kenya challenges in 2014 and 2015 respectively raising over £5000 in the process.
Simon is responsible for managing the finances of the organisation as well as organising and delivering our challenge events.
He climbed Kilimanjaro for the second time in 2019 where he proposed to his wife at the summit!
Sam Abbs
(He/him)
Corporate Challenge Lead
Sam first heard about Dig Deep back in 2020 when he signed up with his sister for Kilimanjaro, summiting in 2022. Since graduating, he joined the Dig Deep staff team after experiencing the shared sense of achievement and the rewarding feeling of aiding a fantastic cause.
As part of his role, he travels up and down the country inspiring and recruiting large teams of new fundraisers.
Sam has also worked for marketing brands and as an ambassador and volunteer in the third sector.
Jess Bailey
(She/her)
Fundraising Officer
Jess first got involved in Dig Deep back in 2022 when she took on the Kilimanjaro challenge with Team Manchester whilst at university.
After such an incredible experience on the climb, Jess worked alongside the challenges team for the 2026 recruitment season, building up student university teams & supporting team leaders.
She has now stepped into a Fundraising Officer position where she actively provides participants with advice & encouragement throughout their journey with Dig Deep.
Kate Bridle
(She/her)
Fundraising Officer
Kate first got involved with Dig Deep in 2019, as a Team Leader at university. She summited Kilimanjaro in 2022, and joined the Dig Deep team as a Social Media Intern before stepping into the Fundraising Officer role.
Alongside Kilimanjaro, she has taken on the National Three Peaks challenge and Everest Base Camp trek to raise funds for charity, and now supports others taking on their own charity challenges.
