Over April, May and June I’m aiming to climb all 214 mountains in the Lake District, “Doing the Wainwrights”.

I’ve been in touch with a great small charity called Mind Over Mountains. I thought combining the fun of hiking, climbing and running up all the Wainwrights with raising funds for a great cause would be a neat combination.

It’s well researched that getting outside into nature and doing exercise are great ways to support our well being and anyone’s recovery from mental illness. Mind Over Mountains supports people from all backgrounds to get outdoors and improve their mental health through hiking. It offers bursaries to people who otherwise would not be able to afford getting to the hills. These can support people with severe mental health issues. It seems a fitting cause to try and raise some money for this great little charity. They organise weekends away for hiking in beautiful locations that are supported by trained clinicians.

From a personal perspective, supporting people serious mental health means a lot to me. I spent a 35 years of my career working in the NHS in mental health. I also had a serious breakdown in my early 20s when I had a psychotic episode that meant I had two psychiatric admissions. My recovery was good but it was also gradual. I still have moments where I need to take care of my mental wellbeing.

One of my strategies for managing my own mental health is to get outside and walk or run in the countryside when I feel stressed or vulnerable.

I remember climbing Scafell Pike the day after my Mam died and the way up the hill seemed to take away some of the stress and provide clarity. The day after my dad died, my brother and I met to walk a few miles along the Pennine Way. Getting into the hills has been a great medicine for me.

At the height of my breakdown in my 20s I didn’t really get the therapeutic benefit of the outdoors. I do remember the peace and space that going for a walk in the hospital grounds gave me. It was a moment of lucidity in an otherwise despairing time of my life.

I’m aiming to raise £500 which would support a couple of bursaries.

My aim is to climb all 214 Wainwrights from April - June. That will be around 500 miles and over 50,000 metres of climbing.

If you’re in the Lakes in the Spring and fancy joining me just let me know. It’d be great to share a few miles and bag a Wainwright. All the hikes are between 8-15 miles.