Do you know someone who is waiting to ‘climb out’ of their current
situation?

This is my story.

 ‘Climbing Out’ is a life changing charity that provides a fully funded 5 day outdoor activity programs aimed at rebuilding confidence, self-esteem and motivation for people facing life-changing injury, illness or trauma. 

In 2022 after many years of feeling that something wasn’t quite right,and battling on as many do, I established that I was suffering from symptoms of complex PTSD. This came as quite a shock as I never thought it would happen to me. I asked myself why, and I put it down to just being weak. I have never felt lower, or worthless, but with the support of my wife and family I knew that I had to do something. I just didn’t know what, or how to do it.

 I realised that I couldn’t change what I didn’t understand, so I reached out to ‘Climbing Out’ looking for answers. I was overjoyed when they accepted me onto one of their programs in the Lake District. Then came the nerves, doubts, fears, and excuses. ‘I’m not that bad really’, ‘other people are more deserving’, ‘I’m not capable’, ‘am I good enough’.

 On the day of the programme, my car failed to start, the battery was flat and again I questioned if this was a sign. Ironically, the car was a symbol of me, my battery was flat, and I questioned if I was destined to stay the way I was feeling. However, my wife came running out to the car with the jump leads, and I think this was a pivotal point. Whatever your struggles, whatever your inner demons, all you need is a spark, a willingness to change, hypothetical jump leads to restart your life. 

My Wife will never fully understand how that one moment changed my life for the better. I will forever be in her debt.

 The 5 day programme pushed me outside of my comfort zone, and created a safe environment for me and the other attendees to share experiences, and at the same time acknowledge that everyone’s mental or physical journey is unique. I created life memories, including star gazing, hill walking, canoeing on lake Windermere, abseiling and cold water swimming (to name a few activities), and I met some wonderful people, and hopefully lifelong friends along the way. It gave me the tools and strategies that I was looking for, and now the hard work starts. I can finally see through the fog and have a clear view on my direction. I am going full steam ahead and I’m fully committed to change.

 In recognition of the help, motivation and focus that ‘Climbing Out’ as given to me, I want to try to pay it forward. 

Please contact me (or the team of Climbing Out) if you know someone who would benefit from the great work that Kelda Wood and her team at ‘Climbing Out’ can offer. 

Please share this with someone who may benefit from knowing that you can still be the best version of you, and that positive change is possible.

 Sadly, not everyone gets the help they need, and over 30 people commit suicide (worldwide) every 30 minutes. That needs to change.

 Please talk to someone. 

As a means of raising awareness of suicide, and the life affirming work of ‘Climbing Out’, on 27^th and 28^th Dec 2022, I plan on walking 66km from the fourteen locks in Newport, Gwent along the Monmouthshire and Brecon canal to the Brecon canal basin in less than 30 hours. I will be walking more than 30km each day.

I fully understand that money is tight, especially at Christmas, but please give what you can, and help the next person ‘Climbing Out’.

If you are interested in referring someone to Climbing Out, please complete this form:  https://forms.office.com/r/u8F8scFRiF

If you're interested in referring yourself, then complete our self-referral form: https://forms.office.com/r/WbbXw8EPZ1