So we have just got home from the Three Peaks which neither of us really knew how we were going to get on with.  Reality is the physical side was the simples bit - a few aches and pains, but essentially nothing a good cold lager, and a rest in the sun can't fix today. 

But it was an adventure and a schlep. Starting at Clapham things were going a little off plan. I was due to fly up earlier than the rest in order to get the car sorted. My angel of a puppy/dog thought my travel wallet was a toy and hid it in the garden which meant I spent too long looking for, missed my flight and spent 7 hours in Gatwick waiting for the next flight to Inverness. 

When we got to our hotel we checked the weather and it was a little startling but went to bed in good spirits - heeding the warning of 'respect the mountain' of course. Woke up bright and early and sure enough it was a bit wet.  Asked for some local advice on conditions and were told we needed to be REALLY careful and that it was going to be too windy for most up there.  So we set off with caution and a smile. At about 1000metres up with the driving winds and rain coupled with almost no visibility, all our waterproofs soaked through, our feet sodden and shivering, despite having pretty good gear, we decided to turn back. 

I knew it was the right decision but I couldn't help but feel a little deflated. This slight gnawing feeling was made better for me the next day when we learnt that it was -9 and 100 mile winds at the top, and that experienced climbers had turned back as well. 

So after a 6 hour drive, a pretty unhealthy meal and a glass of wine we went to sleep determined that Scafell would not beat us.  It didn't. In fact we hit the summit three times because we had to turn back and head to the top because the visibility was so poor we couldn't find the track down despite good compass and map reading skills amongst us (not mine).

There was a scarey moment when we thought we were heading for part of the route up that was fine upwards, but would have been hairy had we had to go back down through the same 'gully' (sure that is not the technical term maybe I should say 'way').  

Obviously given I am writing this we made it back down, and headed off to Snowdon - Welsh weather was with us all the way - and we had some amazing skyline as the sun set on the way to Conwy.  Recommend the Groes in Trefriw if you are climbing Snowdon.  

Snowdon was a dream, and after spending two days in grey fog getting a little scared at times and wondering what on earth it was that got people into mountaineering I felt it all at Snowdon - the awe, the wonder and what it feels like to take in such amazing views.

So despite the peak of Ben Nevis eluding us, I have come back proud of our achievements -  we walked for 13 hours, drove for 15 hours (sat in an airport for 7 hours) and are now are ready to get on some flat roads and train for the half marathon in a few weeks, and thanks for your support. 

Look out for the launch of @brookcharity and @fpacharity new campaign on 17th September.  Your contributions are helping us fight for and protect young people's sexual rights. As I said before, this campaigning and advocacy work is needed now more than ever. Email me on simon.blake@brook.org.uk if you need convincing!

Thanks very much for your support from us both

Simon 

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This is Simon writing this, and Jonny believes all of it too. 

As all of you know I am absolutely passionate about young people's sexual rights and am privileged to be CEO of Brook the leading young people's sexual health charity. 

It is 2012 and when I talk to friends, family and colleagues most think that young people get all the information they need about sex and relationships. Our experience at Brook shows the opposite. Whilst most of the 1000 plus young people we have contact with at Brook each day want to be good at relationships, too many young people are growing up with guilt, shame and embarrassment about their bodies and without all the information they need to enjoy and take responsibility for their decisions in the same way that many of us did one, two or three generations ago. 

Most sensible adults agree that we must stop adopting a Benny Hill approach to young people and sex. Most agree that young people need good sex and relationships education as well as excellent services and support to enable them to enjoy their developing sexuality with confidence and pride as they move from adolescence into adulthood.

And if you need convincing how far we are from that situation, think of the nonsense we have heard recently about rape and the bizarre idea that such a think as legitimate rape or that failing to get consent is poor sexual etiquette; think about the disgusting attitudes displayed during the consultation on equal marriage; think about the sexual exploitation case in the North West of England; think about the nonsense we hear about sex and relationships education corrupting children; think about the stigma some people with HIV experience and finally think about the sustained assault on women's reproductive rights.  When you add all those things together it is very clear we have a long way to go before Brook achieves it goal of enabling all young people, men, women, gay or straight, to enjoy their sexuality without harm. 

Brook is working hard to change this, and we need your support. That is why Jonny and I are donning first our waterproofs and hiking boots to do the Three Peaks, and then our trainers to take to the streets for the half marathon.  

I have a brilliant team at Brook doing brilliant campaigning work and the more we raise the more they can do to create the change we all want to see - an end to sexual violence including homophobia, lower rates of teenage pregnancy, HIV and other sexually transmitted infections and confident young people able to make positive active choices to have sex when they are mature enough to enjoy and take responsibility for it.  

Please dig deep and donate whatever you can afford. Pictures of blisters, exhausted people, and us struggling with maps can be purchased at a price!

If you want to find out more about Brook and how you can support us please email me simon.blake@brook.org.uk 

On behalf of the young people we work with, thank you.