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Original poster

To pull out of work charity walk due to shared accommodation?

77 replies

Weeksh · 20/08/2026 14:53

We are travelling to a well known landmark next month for a charity walk. The company are covering the cost of travel and accommodation for one night.

It has been revealed this morning that the accommodation is to be shared rooms at a hostel type accommodation. No issue with hostels, but my issue is having to share a room (bunk beds) with colleagues and navigate the usual bodily functions etc.

Would it be wrong of me to drop out? Booking alternative accommodation isn’t an option - there’s nothing near which is suitable and available.

OP posts:
ElizaSchuyler · 20/08/2026 15:14

I'm not sure how you can have no objection to hostels and yet object to sharing a room,

You can have individual rooms in hostels too. My daughter has done that several times.

Crumbylentil · 20/08/2026 15:16

how long ago did you sign up and know it involved an over night stay?

but basically Op your hearts not in or if you’re going to drop out for this reason and the charity can’t be that special to you… so just make your excuses and drop out (but make a sizeable donation!!)

GreenWheat · 20/08/2026 15:17

God no, I am far too old for hostels and room sharing. Do you drive? If so, you might be able to stay somewhere a bit further away and join just for the event.

TorroFerney · 20/08/2026 15:27

TheSmallAssassin · 20/08/2026 15:00

I'd go, it's only one night, it might be fun?

Yes op you can stay up late and talk about boys/girls you fancy! Such fun.

No, I’d not be doing that op.

TorroFerney · 20/08/2026 15:28

Spooll · 20/08/2026 15:13

I'm not sure how you can have no objection to hostels and yet object to sharing a room, but if the accomodation is not what you expected it's not unreasonable to pull out.

Fwiw I was you once, then I became single in middle age. For the forst time I had the time and freedom to travel, but single accomodation makes everything so expensive. So I was brave and shared with everyone and anyone, from aquaintances on a group trip to strangers on a small group tour and bunks in a hostel on a solo hiking trip. It has been nothing but a positive experience. Life feels better to me when you say yes and go for it. Presumably it's only for a night or two.

A mantra that has stood me well is "what's the worst that can happen?"

well the worse thing that you share with some lunatic?!

Spooll · 20/08/2026 15:31

TorroFerney · 20/08/2026 15:28

well the worse thing that you share with some lunatic?!

Show quote history

And I'd have to arrange something else or at the very worst, it would be all over by morning v missing out on great adventures with some really interesting people.

topcat2014 · 20/08/2026 15:31

I'mdecades over 30 so this would be a no.

Honestly the state of some employers that think this is ever ok.

Paganpentacle · 20/08/2026 15:33

I mean... you could always book Travelodge.
That's secure and absolutely zero chance of anyone you don't know walking in on you....🙄

DeftGoldHedgehog · 20/08/2026 15:43

Absolutely not being unreasonable. Bunk beds! Christ.

Huckleberries · 20/08/2026 15:47

Spooll · 20/08/2026 15:13

I'm not sure how you can have no objection to hostels and yet object to sharing a room, but if the accomodation is not what you expected it's not unreasonable to pull out.

Fwiw I was you once, then I became single in middle age. For the forst time I had the time and freedom to travel, but single accomodation makes everything so expensive. So I was brave and shared with everyone and anyone, from aquaintances on a group trip to strangers on a small group tour and bunks in a hostel on a solo hiking trip. It has been nothing but a positive experience. Life feels better to me when you say yes and go for it. Presumably it's only for a night or two.

A mantra that has stood me well is "what's the worst that can happen?"

It’s not a question of being brave

It’s about avoiding something that you find deeply unpleasant

I don’t want to share rooms, so I don’t share rooms.

Crumbylentil · 20/08/2026 15:48

When they first began arrangements did they say the overnight stay would be in a hostel (but didn’t explicitly stipulate shared rooms?)

Dont do it
make a sizeable donation to sponser them

Spooll · 20/08/2026 15:49

Huckleberries · 20/08/2026 15:47

It’s not a question of being brave

It’s about avoiding something that you find deeply unpleasant

I don’t want to share rooms, so I don’t share rooms.

Show quote history

Ok. But I decided to be brave and do something I sometimes find unpleasant, and found that whilst in a perfect world I'd probably still prefer my own room, I'd have missed some great experiences if I hadn't.

WildGarlicSoup · 20/08/2026 15:50

I would have assumed dorm. accommodation from 'work charity walk' from the outset.

Spooll · 20/08/2026 15:56

WildGarlicSoup · 20/08/2026 15:50

I would have assumed dorm. accommodation from 'work charity walk' from the outset.

Yes, I don't think charity hike and work trip are the same thing. I'd be very shocked to be asked to share on a business trip, but a shared hostel feels like the expected accomodation for a charity hike.

AbzMoz · 20/08/2026 16:03

Sharing wouldn’t bother me at all in this scenario, and I’d fully expect dorm accommodation on this type of trip. I’ve been on work socials before (totally different to business trips) and happily shared too.

Wingingit73 · 20/08/2026 16:05

Don't do it of you dont want to.

Somersetbaker · 20/08/2026 16:15

I would never of signed up in the first place. Work is work and what I do in my own time is my affair. I walk for my own pleasure and I give to charities (that I choose), I don't expect friends or other people to give to charity to boost my ego or to make my employer look good on social media. Cancel the whole thing and your employer can give the money it's saved to the charity.

PopcornKitten · 20/08/2026 17:41

Hell no. There’s no way I’m sharing a room with random colleagues. I share with immediate family and I can tolerate a night with very close friends.
if they expected you to share rooms then that should have been specified from the outset otherwise I would assume that I had my own room and bathroom.
YANBU.

WecanbeheroeslikeBowie · 20/08/2026 17:45

Wouldn't bother me personally to share with another woman. 'Bodily functions' OP? I take it there isn't an open plan loo and shower in the room wouldn't be doing with that. Otherwise I tend to get on with stuff. I've done staying over with other barely known women for several things in recent years and I guess it doesn't faze me personally.
But everyone is different if it bothers you you don't go.

Alconleigh · 20/08/2026 17:48

Hard no from me. And that’s me being considerate (as I am a snorer) as much as just not wanting to anyway. The only way I’m sharing accomms with people I’m not in a relationship with or related to is in a natural disaster / everyone in a sports hall type scenario. And even then I’d be trying to throw money at the situation Grin

IdaGlossop · 20/08/2026 17:52

It wouldn't bother me at all. It's just one night, most of it asleep. I'm 92.

mashpatooties · 20/08/2026 17:54

Hell no. I wouldn't even want to share with good friends let alone colleagues.

Coinkidinki · 20/08/2026 18:01

I'd pull out but in fairness I'd never agree to a charity walk in the first place. Performative fundraising isn't my scene.

AgnesMcDoo · 20/08/2026 18:01

Not a chance I’d share with colleagues.

Hatty65 · 20/08/2026 18:02

No.

I don't share rooms with colleagues. Just No.