National Three Peaks Challenge – August 22^nd 2015

The challenge entails climbing the highest peaks in Scotland, England and Wales.  Starting at 12:00 on the 22^nd August the team will depart from Glen Nevis to climb Ben Nevis, standing at a height of 1343 Metres.  We will then travel to Wasdale Head in Cumbria to climb Scafell Pike (978M).  We aim to be starting our ascent at around 23:00 and will summit in the dark before returning to our support vehicle to travel to North Wales and Snowdon (1085M).  The challenge finishes at 12:00 on the 23^rd August by which time we need to be back at the Pen-Y-Pass car park.

The event has been organised by myself in support of SANE, a mental health charity, in memory of Paul Tomlinson who tragically took his own life after a battle with mental health on the 9^th October 2014.  Pauls family and friends were devastated by this news and are still finding it difficult to come to terms with their loss almost 12 months later.  Jayne Tomlinson, Pauls sister is taking part in the event and his parents are providing food for the team and the support drivers.  It has been a great comfort to them that friends and some people who didn’t even know Paul personally are willing to give time and effort to raise money but more importantly awareness for Mental Health.

The team has mixed abilities when it comes to mountain walking and it will be a real test of friendship and comradery as we encourage each other to complete the challenge.

Of course, we could not undertake this challenge without the support of sponsors.  So far we have been fortunate to secure sponsorship for the mini bus hire, and I believe a tank of diesel.  We still need to cover the cost of another tank of diesel and if we can do this, it means that every penny raised can go straight to SANE.ORG to help them continue the work they do to support people all over the country with mental illness.

On a personal note, the challenge is important because I have openly battled mental illness for most of my adult life and it is impossible to explain how debilitating it can be at times.  2 other members of the team are also facing an ongoing battle with mental health and whoever reads this will be close to somebody who battles this illness, whether you know about it or not.  Suicide is the single biggest killer amongst middle aged males in the UK, claiming over 5000 lives per year.  This is a higher number than die of cancer within that age group giving you some perspective as to just how tragic mental illness is.  The saddest part is that it doesn’t need to be, it is a treatable condition and with organisations such as SANE.ORG who work tirelessly not only to support but also raise awareness and remove the stigma of the illness, there is hope that more people silently suffering will seek help without fear of being labelled weak, and maybe the next time you come across a friend who seems a bit low, have a chat with them, make them feel like they are not alone.  You may just end up saving somebodies life without even knowing.  Any help you can give us will be amazing and we look forward to your support.