Rehab is calling on Westmeath 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 August 3 -5, 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 Westmeath, completed the challenge in 2011. She says, “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.”
To register for the Five Peaks Challenge, please contact Kerry Houlihan on (01 ) 2100 521 or email [email protected]. Registration forms are also available at www.headsup.ie
