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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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:
Suspicioustoenails · 20/08/2026 14:56

I sometimes have to go away with/for work, and at this stage of life an individual room is absolutely non negotiable.
I'm 59, my room sharing days are over.

So for me, YANBU.

JumpBoyJump · 20/08/2026 14:57

Fuck no

notacooldad · 20/08/2026 14:57

I would pull out as well. I go away a lot with friends but always independent rooms.

I would never ever contemplate sharing with someone I didn't know.

Huckleberries · 20/08/2026 14:58

It seems a shame for you to miss out on something that you actually wanted to do, I'm guessing

Maybe it's the case that you can find some suitable accommodation that's not that near and then you can go straight home after you've done what you want to do

I think that would be totally fair, and they should understand that

Thelakeisle26 · 20/08/2026 14:59

Nope. Bollocks to that. Pull out and do not feel bad about it.

Crumbylentil · 20/08/2026 14:59

Have you not been sponsored?

TheSmallAssassin · 20/08/2026 15:00

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

JustSetFireToIt · 20/08/2026 15:00

Who the hell organised that and didnt care to mention it?!

Indianajet · 20/08/2026 15:01

Well I couldn't manage the top bunk, but I could put up with the bottom bunk for one night if I wanted to go.

PullingOutHair123 · 20/08/2026 15:01

The charity are looking for ways to ensure as much money as possible is being used for the charity and not on expenses. Seems fair.

If you want you own room at the hostel, book one yourself. It won't be loads of money if it's a hostel?

Unless it was specified that you would have private rooms, seems dramatic to cancel at this point.

Whats the challenge?

EDIT : Scrap that. Your company are paying not the charity - then yes, do what you want! I would have a good excuse though so you don't get accused of not doing the charity based stuff.

Weeksh · 20/08/2026 15:01

JustSetFireToIt · 20/08/2026 15:00

Who the hell organised that and didnt care to mention it?!

I think they’ve just left it late in the day to book rather than this being the plan all along.

OP posts:
thenightsky · 20/08/2026 15:02

No way. Tell them you've got IBS or something? I did that once to get out of a work away event. It got me a single room.

Londonnight · 20/08/2026 15:02

I don't share with anyone, friends or family, so it would be a no from me also.

JustSetFireToIt · 20/08/2026 15:02

Terrible planning in that case.

SukiPook · 20/08/2026 15:03

Well if it was me I would do it and bring my foam earplugs in case anyone snored. It's only for 1 night and for a good cause, I would think it would all be good fun. And if you're tired from the walk then that will help with getting to sleep etc. For me I would think it was unreasonable of me to pull out if I found out these details, but it wouldn't be a problem for me.
But it sounds like you have a problem with the general concept of sharing a room with someone? Is it just something that you can't cope with for some reason? If it would give you anxiety or something or make you unable to sleep YANBU but you should explain that to whoever is organising . If it's not that but that you just don't want to then YABU, somewhat. But it's still your choice, no-one can make you do it if it fills you with dread!

Sartre · 20/08/2026 15:04

God no, I would rather die. I don’t do hostels at all, never have and never will. Also don’t do shared bathrooms with anyone who isn’t a close friend / relative.

Weeksh · 20/08/2026 15:04

SukiPook · 20/08/2026 15:03

Well if it was me I would do it and bring my foam earplugs in case anyone snored. It's only for 1 night and for a good cause, I would think it would all be good fun. And if you're tired from the walk then that will help with getting to sleep etc. For me I would think it was unreasonable of me to pull out if I found out these details, but it wouldn't be a problem for me.
But it sounds like you have a problem with the general concept of sharing a room with someone? Is it just something that you can't cope with for some reason? If it would give you anxiety or something or make you unable to sleep YANBU but you should explain that to whoever is organising . If it's not that but that you just don't want to then YABU, somewhat. But it's still your choice, no-one can make you do it if it fills you with dread!

I’ve shared plenty of rooms with my DH and close family over the years - but draw the line at work colleagues.

OP posts:
Crumbylentil · 20/08/2026 15:06

Have you not had to raise sponsorship for this @Weeksh ?

Besidemyselfwithworry · 20/08/2026 15:06

JumpBoyJump · 20/08/2026 14:57

Fuck no

This
im 46 and wouldn’t be sharing a room with anyone other then my partner, my sister (if we go away we sometimes book a twin room if it’s cheaper) or my daughter - I would never share with a colleague not a chance! I’d absolutely cancel. I’m sure there will be other people feeling the same.

Weeksh · 20/08/2026 15:07

Crumbylentil · 20/08/2026 15:06

Have you not had to raise sponsorship for this @Weeksh ?

Yes but I’ve not started fortunately (I’ve mentioned to friends and family but was always going to collect donations nearer the time)

OP posts:
MelonSorbet · 20/08/2026 15:08

Assuming I was only sharing with other female colleagues, I would be fine with it for one night.

Crumbylentil · 20/08/2026 15:09

Weeksh · 20/08/2026 15:07

Yes but I’ve not started fortunately (I’ve mentioned to friends and family but was always going to collect donations nearer the time)

That was wise given you’re now going to drop out!

Crumbylentil · 20/08/2026 15:10

Weird that absolutely no alternative accommodation whatsoever

Legoninjago1 · 20/08/2026 15:12

It would be completely off the table for me. Hard no!

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?"

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