Ascent to the Summit
In June 2018 I turned 30. I took some time to reflect on the 10 years previous, my 20's. Things I'd achieved, goals I'd reached and aspirations I missed out on.
It prompted the question, what do I want out of the next 10 years? Well, here's the outcome of that reflection. So over the next decade, I'd like to climb as many summits as possible, both here in the UK, around Europe and across the globe where possible. Each time I complete these summits, or challenges as I'm calling them, I want to raise as much money as possible for various charities of my choice. These will be different each time and be close to mine, a family member or friends heart each time.
So to start, I'll be jumping straight in at the deep end and climbing The Three Peaks of the Yorkshire Dales. Having had no previous climbing/hiking experience, it's going to take all the effort and physical strength I have to complete. They say the challenge of the Three Peaks, is to complete them in under 12 hours. I'd like to shave 3 hours off that and complete them all in 9 hours or under.
The charity I've chosen for this challenge, which takes place on 26th August is CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably).
It's no secret to those who are close to me, that for the best part of my 20's for around 5-6 years, I battled with severe depression and suicide. It's something even to this day that I perhaps don't talk enough about. We don't as men. The masculinity makes us think that it shouldn't happen to us. We find it difficult to open up to friends, colleagues or even family. Instead, we hold it in and wait for it to subside, pass it off as a bad day, or week. The truth of the matter is, it never does and for some, the help can come too late.
It's important more than ever to raise awareness of this stark reality. A reality that suicide is the single biggest killer of men under the age of 45*. More work needs to be done to help those who need it most, to bring this astonishing figure right down. This involves much more than fundraising, it's government, politics and changing mindsets. However, fundraising for amazing charities such as CALM is something so simple, yet so powerful and anyone can do it, even if your story isn't the same as mine. Even if you have no story at all. Everyone has the power to make a change, be effective and leave behind a footprint.
This is my footprint.
Please help me raise as much money as possible. There really is no target (I've had to put one down), just as much money as possible to go towards providing vital support for people who suffer in silence. I'm not asking for a lot, pocket change at best. It will all go towards the fantastic work this and many other charities do on a daily basis.
All I'm asking is for a donation the same amount as a couple of beers with friends.
You can read my full story and follow my progress over on my Facebook page. Where I'll share images from the top of all the peaks I climb and share the money raised along the way.
https://www.facebook.com/ascenttothesummit/
Thank you.
Chris.
*Figures provided on the CALM website
It prompted the question, what do I want out of the next 10 years? Well, here's the outcome of that reflection. So over the next decade, I'd like to climb as many summits as possible, both here in the UK, around Europe and across the globe where possible. Each time I complete these summits, or challenges as I'm calling them, I want to raise as much money as possible for various charities of my choice. These will be different each time and be close to mine, a family member or friends heart each time.
So to start, I'll be jumping straight in at the deep end and climbing The Three Peaks of the Yorkshire Dales. Having had no previous climbing/hiking experience, it's going to take all the effort and physical strength I have to complete. They say the challenge of the Three Peaks, is to complete them in under 12 hours. I'd like to shave 3 hours off that and complete them all in 9 hours or under.
The charity I've chosen for this challenge, which takes place on 26th August is CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably).
It's no secret to those who are close to me, that for the best part of my 20's for around 5-6 years, I battled with severe depression and suicide. It's something even to this day that I perhaps don't talk enough about. We don't as men. The masculinity makes us think that it shouldn't happen to us. We find it difficult to open up to friends, colleagues or even family. Instead, we hold it in and wait for it to subside, pass it off as a bad day, or week. The truth of the matter is, it never does and for some, the help can come too late.
It's important more than ever to raise awareness of this stark reality. A reality that suicide is the single biggest killer of men under the age of 45*. More work needs to be done to help those who need it most, to bring this astonishing figure right down. This involves much more than fundraising, it's government, politics and changing mindsets. However, fundraising for amazing charities such as CALM is something so simple, yet so powerful and anyone can do it, even if your story isn't the same as mine. Even if you have no story at all. Everyone has the power to make a change, be effective and leave behind a footprint.
This is my footprint.
Please help me raise as much money as possible. There really is no target (I've had to put one down), just as much money as possible to go towards providing vital support for people who suffer in silence. I'm not asking for a lot, pocket change at best. It will all go towards the fantastic work this and many other charities do on a daily basis.
All I'm asking is for a donation the same amount as a couple of beers with friends.
You can read my full story and follow my progress over on my Facebook page. Where I'll share images from the top of all the peaks I climb and share the money raised along the way.
https://www.facebook.com/ascenttothesummit/
Thank you.
Chris.
*Figures provided on the CALM website
Organizer
Chris Sedgwick
Organizer
Campaign Against Living Miserably
Registered nonprofit
Donations eligible for Gift Aid.
