A group of Bracknell men have completed a trek of the three highest peaks in the UK in under 24 hours in support of Mental Health awareness.
After suffering from mental health issues themselves, they set a personal challenge to tackle Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Snowdon. This is called the three-peak challenge (UK).
What’s more is that they completed the three climbs in budgie smugglers.
On Friday, May 13, Aaron Maguire (24), Brandon Husband (24), Joe Gater (25) and James Andreasen (24) set off with driver Joey Grant to their first stop at Ben Nevis in Scotland.
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Joe said: “We all first decided to do it as a personal challenge because we all love climbing, and then we decided to go that one extra step for charity and do all three peaks.
“So many people have to deal with poor mental health, and it is so important because we have all dealt with it in some shape or form ourselves.”
The keen climbers started at Ben Nevis at 6am where it took them four hours and 20 minutes and then headed to Scafell Pike to the Lake District which they climbed in four hours and 15 minutes.
The final stop was at 1:15am on May 14, and eventually finished in Wales at 5pm.
This 24 hour challenge included the travel time from Wales to the Lake District and last but not least, Wales for Snowdon which Joey was pleased to do after becoming unable to join the boys.
Although Joey Grant didn’t climb due to a ruptured ACL, he is a keen climber himself and said that he is so proud of what the boys have achieved.
He said: “It was over-whelming. I thought they were going to struggle but they got through it amazingly well.
“Everyone has been so supportive and so far we have raised £3,850 for charity even though our target was £2,5000 which we have raised for Mind charity.
“It’s just been incredible, and it won’t be the last. We plan to do a much bigger expedition possibly abroad the next time. Hopefully my knee will be fixed by then.”
The group of Bracknell men have received lots of support online and on social media where they documented their journey. This meant that followers and supporters could reach out with encouragement during their challenge.
If you wish to donate to the boys cause for mental health awareness you can donate on their Just Giving page here.
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