Wednesday,29 October 2025
This December, two familiar faces from the jewellery world will step far outside their comfort zones.
Naomi Newton-Sherlock, Director of Weston Beamor and Domino Jewellery, and Judith Lockwood, Director of Mesmeric Distribution, will take on a five-day trek across the Sahara Desert - covering more than 100 kilometres through heat, sand and steep terrain. Their goal: to raise over £10,000 for The Benevolent Society, the charitable arm of the British Allied Trades Federation.
100 kilometres of commitment
Beginning on 1 December 2025, the trek will see the pair travel from the edge of Morocco’s Atlas Mountains to the heart of the desert, carrying their own survival kits and sleeping in stripped-back camps under open skies. It’s a challenge that most would call extreme - but for Naomi and Judith, it’s about something much deeper than endurance.
“It’s incredible to think that what began as a simple conversation at the Goldsmiths’ Craft & Design Council Awards has grown into something so meaningful,” says Naomi.
“Choosing to trek across the Sahara wasn’t a decision we made lightly - but we believe that by taking on this challenge, we can help make a real difference. This isn’t just about pushing ourselves physically; it’s about showing what’s possible when people come together for a cause greater than themselves.”
Over the summer, the pair have been out on the trails - training, testing equipment, and building stamina. They’ll be walking up to eight hours a day once they reach Morocco, tackling peaks, gorges, dunes and oases along the route.
Supporting the people behind the trade
The Benevolent Society is a cause close to both of their hearts. Established to support members of the British Allied Trades Federation (BAFT), it provides financial help to those in difficulty and offers bursaries for adult learners developing new skills or qualifications within the trade. In a sector built on craft, precision and creativity, it ensures that help is there when people need it most.
“We will have in our minds for every step walked and climbed the impact this will have on helping individuals in our industry,” says Judith. “This is quite a serious challenge and will take us both out of our comfort zones. I’m delighted to be doing this with Naomi - whose suggestion it was. We are both hugely excited and respectful about this incredible trek.”
Their partnership reflects the very best of the jewellery community - collaboration, shared purpose, and mutual respect. Between them, Naomi and Judith have decades of experience in leadership, design, distribution and mentorship. Both are long-standing advocates for skills, education and innovation, and both understand that the industry only thrives when its people do.
A cause that connects us all
For The Benevolent Society, this trek represents more than fundraising. The organisation supports colleagues across the five trade associations that form the BATF - from the National Association of Jewellers to the Surface Engineering Association. Whether helping a family through hardship or providing a bursary for a student taking their first steps into the craft, every donation helps keep skills alive and people supported.
Gay Penfold, Chair of The Benevolent Society, described the challenge as “ambitious and inspiring”, noting that the entire industry would get behind Naomi and Judith as they aim to exceed their £10,000 target.
For Naomi, who also serves on the advisory committee to the Wardens of the Goldsmiths’ Company and as a director of the Jewellery Quarter BID, the trek sits naturally alongside her commitment to supporting creative talent and nurturing opportunity.
For Judith, a familiar face across many industry boards and initiatives, it’s another way to give back to a trade that has shaped her career for over thirty years.
“I’m confident that with the backing of our friends, colleagues in the trade and our joined networks, both Naomi and I can reach our fundraising target,” Judith adds. “The training is already underway to build our strength and stamina. We plan to keep The Benevolent Society updated with our progress.”
The challenge and the connection
In many ways, the Sahara is an apt setting for this kind of effort. There’s no glamour in walking through sand and heat - just discipline, teamwork and resolve. It mirrors the quiet determination that underpins much of the jewellery industry itself: long hours at the bench, fine detail work, years spent honing craft and character.
At Weston Beamor, those same values run deep. Since 1947, the company has been built on a belief in skill, collaboration and care - in helping people “make it,” not only in business but in life. Supporting the next generation of jewellers, celebrating creativity and standing behind initiatives like The Benevolent Society are all part of that story.
Naomi’s decision to take part reflects the culture she helps to lead: thoughtful, grounded and people-centred. Her role at Weston Beamor and Domino has always been about combining innovation with empathy - a balance that’s mirrored perfectly in this latest challenge.
Walking together
When they set off in December, temperatures are expected to reach 35–40°C during the day and drop close to freezing at night. The terrain will shift constantly - steep dunes one day, rocky plateaus the next. Each participant will carry essentials including food, water and camping gear, guided only by a small support team.
It’s not the kind of challenge you take on for spectacle; it’s something you do because you believe in it. Both Naomi and Judith know the trek will be tough, but they see it as an opportunity to represent the collective strength of the trade they’ve spent their lives supporting.
“Every step we take brings us closer to raising vital funds and creating positive change,” Naomi says simply.
Why this matters
Across the UK, countless people work behind the scenes in the jewellery and allied trades - setters, polishers, casters, engravers, designers, suppliers, and apprentices. The Benevolent Society exists to ensure those people have somewhere to turn if life takes an unexpected turn. It also funds adult learning grants, helping experienced craftspeople retrain or diversify their skills - something that benefits the entire sector.
By taking on this challenge, Naomi and Judith are helping ensure that support continues for the next generation. And while their trek will last five days, its impact will reach far beyond that - across workshops, design studios and showrooms nationwide.
Every step counts
Naomi and Judith’s Sahara trek isn’t about the miles or the heat. It’s about the people who make this industry remarkable - those who design, create and keep British jewellery craftsmanship alive.
Their determination reminds us that the trade isn’t defined by competition, but by connection. When one of us takes a step forward, we all move with them.
At Weston Beamor, we believe in that same principle: working together, sharing knowledge, and standing behind the people who make this industry shine.
To follow Naomi and Judith’s progress, or to lend your support, visit their JustGiving page.
Donate Here
Weston Beamor has been casting precious metals since 1947. Working with a broad spectrum of customers for nearly 80 years has made Weston Beamor one of the most respected and trusted names in the jewellery industry.
