Are you looking for the ultimate endurance test and an adventure in 2014? Do you think you can climb 17,373-foot over five mountains in just three days? The HeadsUp Five Peaks Challenge is offering the challenge of a lifetime to climb the five highest peaks in Ireland, Northern Ireland, Scotland, England and Wales in three days, while at the same time raising money for HeadsUp, Rehab’s youth suicide prevention project! There will be two events this year, 1-5 May and 31 July – 5 August. The challenge in August will run over five days to facilitate people who would like to take a more moderate pace with overnight accommodation in each location.
The adventure will begin in Kerry with participants climbing Carrauntoohil before travelling north to scale Slieve Donard in Northern Ireland. Ben Nevis in Scotland and Scafell Pike in England will also be conquered before the final challenge of Mount Snowdon in Wales. A full training plan is provided and a fairly good level of fitness and endurance is required. This is a demanding challenge! Each person is asked to raise €1,875 and advice and support on running fundraising events will be given. A deposit of €150 is required to secure a place.
Paul Spillane from Rathmichael in Dublin completed the challenge in August this year. He is enthusiastic about the experience, “Imagine climbing Carrauntoohill in the dark and then going on to summit four more of the highest peaks in the British Isles, with an amazing bunch of people for a most worthwhile cause. Multiply that by a thousand and you still won’t understand how life changing doing the Five Peaks Challenge is until you have done it for HeadsUp”.
John Fleming, Director of Fundraising & Lotteries, Rehab, adds, “The HeadsUp Five Peaks Challenge offers people the chance to achieve something really unique – there aren’t too many people who can say they have climbed the five highest peaks in Ireland and the British Isles! Now in its fourth year, the challenge has raised over €80,000 to date for HeadsUp – a service which uses a positive mental health approach to help prevent youth suicides among 15-24 year olds. This is a fantastic opportunity for people to challenge themselves mentally and physically, and raise money for youth mental health at the same time.”
Places are limited to 25 per trip, so get your boots on and register your place today! Contact Kerry on 01 2100521 or download the registration form from our website www.rehabfundraising.ie
About HeadsUp
It is estimated that one in four people will experience a mental health problem at some point in their lives. HeadsUp works to help prevent youth suicides using a mental health promotion approach by intervening with the target group of 15-24 year olds before they reach a point of crisis.
HeadsUp encompasses a number of initiatives: HeadsUp Text where by texting HEADSUP to 50424 people can receive details of helplines and support services free of charge; HeadsUp Web where people can access a range of cutting-edge mental health information supports, including well-being tips and cognitive behavioural therapy-based courses; Raising Boys for Fathers, a parenting course to enhance dads’ communications skills with their sons; Lifeskills, a resilience and confidence building course; and the ASIST, Safe TALK and Suicide TALK suicide prevention training courses which support people in identifying those at risk of suicide and making the right interventions. For more information, seewww.headsup.ie