Laura Hazle
Laura's fundraiser for Mind Over Mountains
Fundraising for Mind Over Mountains
Story
20 Mountains in 20 Days
In June 2024 I'll be walking twenty mountains within twenty consecutive days.
This challenge will cover a total distance of over 190km. The ten highest peaks in the Lake District National Park and the ten highest peaks in Eryri National Park.
This will include the highest mountain in England , Scafell Pike, and the highest mountain in Wales, Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon), plus eighteen others. For those of you not familiar with those areas, that’s a LOT of ups and downs.
I’m not going to lie, I’m a little bit terrified.
Despite living in the Peak District and enjoying being the hills, I've never undertaken anything of this magnitude before. This isn’t an organised event, I’ve planned all the routes and logistics myself, to complete this solo. I’ll be sleeping in a tent for three weeks, facing whatever delightful weather gets thrown at me and probably nursing a few blisters along the way.
Your support is greatly appreciated to keep me going. You can follow the ups and downs of my training and journey on my instagram page.
About Me
In the UK currently, 1 in 5 people have suicidal thoughts and 1 in 15 people attempt suicide (stat from MIND). Looking after our mental health and understanding mental health problems such as anxiety or depression has improved hugely in recent years, but we still have a long way to go.
20 years ago this year marks the anniversary of my suicide attempt after struggling with depression. And while I am so glad that I am here to tell the tale, up until now it’s not something that many people know about me.
I feel incredibly grateful to have survived that difficult time in my life. Since then, whilst not immune from experiencing anxiety and depression, I know I am equipped with the tools and support to get through when times get tough. Many aren’t so lucky.
The outdoors and connecting with nature through walking has played a huge part in how I look after my mental wellbeing. I'll be raising money for Mind Over Mountains, an amazing organisation who run events to support those who are having very challenging times in their lives.
"The hills have a power to soothe and heal which is their very own. No man ever sat alone on the top of a hill and planned a murder or a robbery, and no man ever came down from the hills without feeling in some way refreshed, and the better for his experience." (Alfred Wainwright)
Mind Over Mountains
Mind Over Mountains is a ground-breaking charity helping people overcome mental health challenges through therapeutic outdoor experiences. They host specialist wellbeing walks and retreats to bring together professionally guided hill-walking, mindfulness, and quality time with experienced coaches and counsellors.
Thanks so much for your support!
Laura
