Wearside fundraisers' epic bid to climb Scafell Pike, Ben Nevis and Snowdon in just 24 hours

The supporters of the Lighthouse Therapy Group are to climb Scafell Pike, Ben Nevis and Snowdon, the highest peaks in England Scotland and Wales respectively.

To make the challenge particularly interesting they intend to climb all three peaks in 24 hours.

At 7am on Monday, July 12 the adventurers will be at the base of Ben Nevis. After descending the 1,345-metre mountain they will be taken by their support team to Scafell Pike in Cumbria – which stands at 978 metres.

Then it’s back aboard the minibuses where they are hoping to catch some sleep on the journey to north Wales. The aim is to be at the 1,085-metre summit of Snowdon and watch the sunrise.

Lighthouse is a not-for-profit organisation which has an £8,000 target figure for the gruelling escapade – the money will be used to provide counselling to low-income families and front-line key workers.

The organisation was founded in September 2019. The day after they moved into their headquarters in Emmerson Terrace in Washington Village, was in March 2020 when the Government announced the first lockdown.

Due to Covid, mental health has been under the spotlight more than ever.

Since starting out the private counselling practice has offered empathy and a listening ear in the area. They have a team of dedicated counsellors and other professionals who help people who are experiencing various different challenges.

One of the climbers is counsellor Mark Walsh, who says there is a definite connection with the great outdoors and good mental health.

He said: “Getting outdoors and reconnecting with nature is good for mental health, especially when we’ve spent so much time in lockdown. I’m terrified! The challenge is going to be immense.

“I believe everyone has had some sort of ordeal during this pandemic. So many people go into the process of thinking they’re okay when they’re not.

“When we finally come out of these restrictions, it’s still going to be difficult. People will still have anxieties. We’re still heading into the unknown.”

For more on Lighthouse, visit lighthousetherapygroup.co.uk. To make a donation, visit gofundme.com/f/lighthouse-national-three-peaks.

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