10 Events in Memory of Mitch
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On 23rd of May 2022 I will be setting out on a fundraising campaign over 365 days to raise as much money for the following Mental Health Charities before the 10th Anniversary of Mitch’s death on 23rd May 2023.
On 23rd May 2013 my world came crashing down as grief, anger and blame set in when I found out Mitch had passed away. His first birthday afterwards triggered a decline in my own mental health and it took a strong support network and counselling to get me back on track. I promised myself that I would dedicate my life to helping others and tackling the stigma of mental health something I have tried my best to achieve through charity events and my job ever since.
I have decided to fundraise for Two Mental Health Charities through this page who will all have an equal share of any money raised once the challenge ends. These being:
ANDYS MAN CLUB - On average one man every 2 hours takes his life in the UK. It’s often said a factor is that men don’t talk. Andy’s Man Club was born to break down these stigmas, support men struggling with Mental Health issues and lend a hand to suicide prevention. #itsokaytotalk through Andy’s Man Club with a number of venues established for men to attend and talk to other men with similar problems. Let’s help raise much needed funds to help more men reach out and get the help they need.
PAPYRUS (Prevention of Young Suicide) - Suicide is the biggest killer of persons under 35 in the UK. PAPYRUS exist to reduce the number of young people who take their own lives by shattering the stigma around suicide and equipping young people and their communities with the skills to recognise and respond to suicidal behaviour. Raising much needed funds will enable PAPYRUS to continue their great work in trying to eradicate this statistic and save as many young lives as possible.
So they are the charities, but what events will you be doing you might be asking?
On 23rd of May 2022 I will be making my way to the bottom of South Wales largest peak, Pen Y Fan where I will be completing the 10YFAN challenge walking up and down the 2907ft mountain, equating to a similar distance as climbing Mount Everest.
This will be followed up by a number of runs over subsequent months:
3rd July 2022 - Porthcawl 10km
7th August 2022 - Barry 10km
18th September 2022 - Swansea Bay 10km
October 2022 - Cardiff Half Marathon (Date TBC)
27th November 2022 - Chepstow 10km
31st December 2022 - Nos Galon
To begin 2023 I will be cycling the length of the Taff Trail (Brecon to Cardiff) on Mitch’s Birthday. The cycle takes in 88.5 km of riverside paths, railway paths and forest roads. It should take approximately 5 hours to complete if all goes well.
The fundraising takes a month off in February to get my hiking training back in for the final two events.
On 11th of March 2023 I head to Abergavenny to complete the South Wales 3 Peaks Trial which takes in Blorange, Skirrid and Sugar Loaf Mountains.
Finally, on 22nd May 2023 I set out to complete my 10th event before the 10th anniversary of Mitch’s death; the Welsh 3 Peaks Challenge. Starting early on 22nd at Snowdon, followed by Cadir Idris and ending back where the challenge began with one final hike of Pen Y Fan.
I ask my family, friends, colleagues and anyone who may see this page to push me along my challenge through donations and support along the journey. If you can donate it would be greatly appreciated; if you can’t please spread the word by giving this page a little share. Together let’s help end the Stigma that is Mental Health and help achieve #healthminds and #happylives for everyone.
Thanks for reading :)
On 23rd May 2013 my world came crashing down as grief, anger and blame set in when I found out Mitch had passed away. His first birthday afterwards triggered a decline in my own mental health and it took a strong support network and counselling to get me back on track. I promised myself that I would dedicate my life to helping others and tackling the stigma of mental health something I have tried my best to achieve through charity events and my job ever since.
I have decided to fundraise for Two Mental Health Charities through this page who will all have an equal share of any money raised once the challenge ends. These being:
ANDYS MAN CLUB - On average one man every 2 hours takes his life in the UK. It’s often said a factor is that men don’t talk. Andy’s Man Club was born to break down these stigmas, support men struggling with Mental Health issues and lend a hand to suicide prevention. #itsokaytotalk through Andy’s Man Club with a number of venues established for men to attend and talk to other men with similar problems. Let’s help raise much needed funds to help more men reach out and get the help they need.
PAPYRUS (Prevention of Young Suicide) - Suicide is the biggest killer of persons under 35 in the UK. PAPYRUS exist to reduce the number of young people who take their own lives by shattering the stigma around suicide and equipping young people and their communities with the skills to recognise and respond to suicidal behaviour. Raising much needed funds will enable PAPYRUS to continue their great work in trying to eradicate this statistic and save as many young lives as possible.
So they are the charities, but what events will you be doing you might be asking?
On 23rd of May 2022 I will be making my way to the bottom of South Wales largest peak, Pen Y Fan where I will be completing the 10YFAN challenge walking up and down the 2907ft mountain, equating to a similar distance as climbing Mount Everest.
This will be followed up by a number of runs over subsequent months:
3rd July 2022 - Porthcawl 10km
7th August 2022 - Barry 10km
18th September 2022 - Swansea Bay 10km
October 2022 - Cardiff Half Marathon (Date TBC)
27th November 2022 - Chepstow 10km
31st December 2022 - Nos Galon
To begin 2023 I will be cycling the length of the Taff Trail (Brecon to Cardiff) on Mitch’s Birthday. The cycle takes in 88.5 km of riverside paths, railway paths and forest roads. It should take approximately 5 hours to complete if all goes well.
The fundraising takes a month off in February to get my hiking training back in for the final two events.
On 11th of March 2023 I head to Abergavenny to complete the South Wales 3 Peaks Trial which takes in Blorange, Skirrid and Sugar Loaf Mountains.
Finally, on 22nd May 2023 I set out to complete my 10th event before the 10th anniversary of Mitch’s death; the Welsh 3 Peaks Challenge. Starting early on 22nd at Snowdon, followed by Cadir Idris and ending back where the challenge began with one final hike of Pen Y Fan.
I ask my family, friends, colleagues and anyone who may see this page to push me along my challenge through donations and support along the journey. If you can donate it would be greatly appreciated; if you can’t please spread the word by giving this page a little share. Together let’s help end the Stigma that is Mental Health and help achieve #healthminds and #happylives for everyone.
Thanks for reading :)
Organizer
Ceri Parker
Organizer
Wales
