Rehab is calling on adventurers and all those with an interest in the outdoors to sign up for the ultimate challenge of 2012, while at the same time raising money for HeadsUp, Rehab's youth suicide prevention project. The Five Peaks Challenge takes place over three days, from 3 – 5 August, with participants climbing the five highest mountains in Ireland, Northern Ireland, Scotland, England and Wales. In a marathon combined 17,373-foot climbing effort, participants will scale Carrauntoohil in Ireland, Slieve Donard in Northern Ireland, Ben Nevis in Scotland, Scafell Pike in England and Mount Snowdon in Wales over the course of the three days of the August bank holiday weekend. A full training plan is provided and a reasonable level of fitness and endurance is required. Each person is asked to raise €1,800 and advice and support on running fundraising events will be given. A deposit of €150 is required to secure a place.
Caroline Murray from County Westmeath, completed the challenge in 2011: “I signed up for the Five Peaks Challenge last year because I really wanted to set myself some fitness goals and have something to show for it. I had a reasonable level of fitness but I certainly wasn’t an exercise addict. I hadn’t climbed a proper mountain before, just a few hills, so I knew that if I could climb five peaks in three days it would be the ultimate achievement. I got great support from the Rehab staff with fundraising – that was a lot easier than the physical training and preparation! The best thing for me during the challenge was the support of my fellow climbers – whenever I needed some motivation they were there beside me, encouraging me to keep going with jokes and promises of chocolate and hot showers! The months of training paid off and even though there were times when I was tired, cold and wet, I knew that this was a once-in-a-lifetime experience and I wasn’t going to give up! Despite aching limbs at the end, I was totally elated and the sense of personal satisfaction was unreal— I had done it! It really is one of the best things you’ll do in your life.”
Pauline Crowley, Rehab’s Head of Fundraising: “The Five Peaks Challenge is an amazing adventure which pushes our minds and bodies to the limit, but that in return offers a real sense of achievement and the prospect of making some forever friends! Funds raised go to HeadsUp which was established in 2005 as a youth project to promote mental health among 15-24 year-olds, with the aim of reducing the number of suicides among young people in Ireland. It delivers a number of different programmes throughout the country including the HeadsUp Text service and interactive website, as well as parenting, life skills and suicide prevention training courses. So c’mon everybody – not only will it be good for your own mental health, but you will also be helping others look after theirs too!”
To register for the Five Peaks Challenge, please contact Kerry Houlihan on 01 2100 521 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it Registration forms are also available at www.headsup.ie For more information contact: Miriam Ryan, Insight Consultants, 01 293 9053 / 086 353 1679 Róisín Fitzgerald, Rehab, 01 205 7260 / 086 810 1291
About Rehab: Rehab is a leading non-governmental organisation which works towards a world where every person has the opportunity to achieve their potential. Over 3,500 Rehab staff members provide high-quality health and social care, training and education, and rehabilitation, employment and commercial services in Ireland, England, Wales, Scotland, the Netherlands and Poland. The people who currently use Rehab’s services include young people and adults with physical, sensory and intellectual disabilities, people with mental health difficulties, people with autism and people with an acquired brain injury. A range of essential services is also provided to older people, carers and others who are marginalised. Every year, more than 43,000 people and their families benefit from the supports provided by Rehab in almost 250 locations. For more information see www.rehab.ie
By James Byrne
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