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BOGNOR REGIS, UK – 22nd September 2025
On Saturday 20th September 2025, nineteen determined employees and friends of Innovate Tax swapped their desks for muddy fields as they took on the infamous 15km Tough Mudder Challenge.
This was no ordinary run. Tough Mudder is renowned for pushing participants to their physical and mental limits with gruelling obstacles including icy water plunges, daunting climbing walls, and even mild electric shocks.
For Innovate Tax, the event represents more than just endurance and resilience – it is about teamwork, camaraderie, and making a difference.
The Innovate Tax team ran to raise both awareness and vital funds for Heartburn Cancer UK, a charity that educates the public about the dangers of persistent heartburn, gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD), and Barrett’s oesophagus – all of which can increase the risk of developing oesophageal cancer if left untreated.
The cause is deeply personal to the Innovate Tax family. Earlier this year, one of the company’s colleagues received a life-changing diagnosis of Stage 4 oesophageal cancer.
Donna Smith, Operations Director at Innovate Tax, said: “This challenge is about so much more than completing a muddy obstacle course. Every wall we climbed and every trench we crawled through was done in solidarity with our colleague affected by this disease, and with everybody else currently battling it so bravely. Heartburn Cancer UK does vital work in promoting awareness and early diagnosis, and we’re proud to support their mission.”
Tough Mudder is built on values of team spirit and mutual support, something Innovate Tax staff know well from their professional environment. The team faced every obstacle together, helping each other through the mud, over barriers, and across the finish line.
Heartburn Cancer UK is committed to saving lives through education, early diagnosis, and research. By taking on Tough Mudder, the Innovate Tax team aim to shine a spotlight on this often-overlooked condition, while raising crucial funds to support ongoing research and patient care.
Donna added: “We want to turn our sweat, bruises, and muddy faces into something positive: greater awareness of oesophageal cancer and more support for Heartburn Cancer UK. If sharing our story encourages just one person to get checked earlier, or helps raise funds for research, then every step will have been worthwhile.”
Innovate Tax is encouraging colleagues, clients, partners, and members of the public to get behind the team by donating and sharing their story. Every contribution will go directly to Heartburn Cancer UK, helping to fuel the fight against oesophageal cancer and support families impacted by the disease.
You can donate to Innovate Tax’s fundraiser for Heartburn Cancer UK here.
