A GROUP from Redditch has successfully completed the gruelling Three Peaks Challenge in memory of friends who took their own lives and to raise £32,600 for mental health charity MIND.
‘There N Back’ was made up of Bryn Williams, Rob Walker, Lee and Jamie Concannon, Jordan Harrison. Jack Moran. Peter Treadgold, Ricki Hughes, Craig Magnet, Paul Wilson, ‘Bean’ Aspindale and Liam Hamilton.
As well as dedicating their trek to remember Kurt, Joe and others lost along the way, the friends also wanted to raise awareness of men’s mental health and the importance of men ‘walking and talking’, especially if they find themselves struggling. They say it is often a subject matter which is overlooked and heavily under-funded and were striving to do their bit to change that.
The challenge involves scaling the biggest mountains in Scotland (Ben Nevis), England (Scaffel Pike) and Wales (Snowdon) all within 24 hours – including travelling time between the peaks.
Bryn said: “It was an incredible journey and experience – we had every element imaginable.
“There was Arctic worthy conditions as we climbed Ben Nevis, experienced pitch black night, wind and torrential rain as we hiked up Scaffel Pike, and endured 90mph winds at Snowdon.
“Also thrown in was 24 hours of sleep deprivation, wet and dry kit changes between mountains on the minibus and morale-boosting bags of Haribo along the way.
“It was chaos and for me – I’ve personally loved every minute of it reminding me of the army days with the lads all pulling together in camaraderie.
“Bonded forever in brotherhood and the memories, men became real men inside those 24 hours when your body is running on empty and parts of your body that you never knew could cramp did.
“Hats off to our minibus drivers too who got us to to the mountains in time – without this it wouldn’t have happened.
“I’m sure we didn’t smell pretty afterwards but it just goes to show what we’re all capable of.”
He thanked everyone who donated to their cause.
