These guys, their stories and their courage are the reason we are inspired every day to do what we do at StrongMen UK and it is vital we raise further awareness and funds for the Charity so that we can continue to support more incredible humans.
Here are a few stories from the Men taking part on the Trek with their reasons why they are doing this.
Graham Baker aka our G'man
In 2009, my wife and I experienced the devastating loss of our newborn daughter, Scarlett, due to a cord knot. Despite the support of the SANDS charity, I struggled to connect emotionally, grappling with “male” expectations - Being the strong one. As such, my mental health declined, impacting work relationships and leading to a diagnosis of depression. I’d lost my purpose.
I found the StrongMen charity via a social media post connected with the TV series SAS Who Dares Wins, which proved to be the reset button I needed on the weekender climb of Snowdon in 2019. The reset ignited positive changes I needed to find my purpose again.
The charity has continued to support me. Notwithstanding the recent loss of my mum before Christmas 2022, only 1-week from the anniversary of losing Scarlett.
The mindset of StrongMen illustrates the healing potential of shared experiences and community support in overcoming grief and rebuilding my life.
I continue to support the StrongMen community, providing peer-to-peer telephone support. If I can share my story and give back what StrongMen gave me, even if I only help 1 person - Then it’s worth it.
Chris 'Wolfy' Tinsley
In 2014, so almost 10 years ago now, I lost my mum. She had been unwell for a long time, and we had had plenty of time to prepare. But she was still so young, had so much to offer, and I had so much more to learn and time I wanted to share. It ripped through me when she died in a way I still can not really put words too.
I drastically fell off the rails.
When I met Efrem for the first time he said afterwards that I genuinely worried him with where my head was at.
StrongMen saved me.
My friendship with Efrem and everyone else helped me to better cope with that sense of loss. Although no one or no thing can replace my mum, there is now a StrongMen shaped patch across the hole. I owe everything to these guys, so to be a part of the team, to help raise money and awareness so others may to get the help that I did is not just something I would like to do, it is something that I have to do. For others, for the charity and for myself.
On the 10th October 2024 a group of 20 StrongMen beneficiaries, volunteers and their friends joined together through StrongMen will be climbing the 6 official routes to the summit of Snowdon. They will climb collectively in groups across the 6 tracks climbing 1085m to summit Mount Snowdon at the same time on the same day as our friends and brothers climb to the summit of Kilimanjaro.
Why? Because no matter where you are, where you are coming from or what direction you are going, you are not alone.
* Charities pay a small fee for our service. Find out how much it is and what we do for it.
