Megan here, the Community Executive at HeadBox, and I’ve just completed the Open National Three Peak Challenge to raise money for St Mungo’s.
When HeadBox launched our Social Mission last year, to help provide Space to people who don’t have it by donating £10,000 to St Mungo’s, our charity partner, each year – everyone in the team started to think how they could get involved. I had already signed up to compete in the Three Peaks with my friend and thought I may as well make the pain worthwhile and raise some money along the way. So I set up my JustGiving page, bought myself a pair of new hiking boots and prepared myself for what I thought would be the worst 24 hours of my life.

What is the Three Peak Challenge?

The Open National Three Peaks Challenge involves climbing the three highest peaks of Scotland, England and Wales all within a 24 hour time frame (including the travel between them). The total walking distance is 23 miles (37km) with a total ascent of 3064 metres (10,052ft). The three mountains included in this challenge were;

  • Ben Nevis, in Scotland (1345m)
  • Scafell Pike, in England (978m)
  • Snowdon, in Wales (1085m)

 

How did I get on?

When we initially pulled up to the foot of Ben Nevis, and as I looked way, way up to the peak of the mountain hiding amongst the clouds I thought ‘What have I got myself into…’ But once we started going it was great! I met some amazing people along the way, and managed to get away with only one blister, which compared to many was very good going. The hardest part was the lack of sleep and rest between the mountains when you’re put back on the small 8-seat minibus, it definitely makes it that much harder. But the whole experience was incredible, from the wildlife roaming around you, to the great weather we managed to get over the whole weekend.
I completed the challenge in 22 hours 7 minutes and honestly couldn’t believe it when I crossed the finish line at the bottom of Snowdon and they handed me my certificate and a glass of well-deserved champagne. The 24 hour experience was one of the best things I have ever done, and the fact I got to do this for an amazing cause made it all the better.

What can that money do?

I’ve been working very closely with the team at St Mungo’s and I know that all the money raised by donations and volunteers is hugely beneficial to the work they do. The money I raised alone could make a huge difference and fund:

  • 45 hostel ‘Welcome Packs’ for rough sleepers taken off the sleeps
  • 22 counselling sessions, to help combat the cause of homelessness at the root cause
  • 11 resources for the hardworking ‘Recovery Colleges’

Which really helps put it all into perspective.
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In 2017 it was estimated that almost 5,000 slept rough on any one night in England. This number has increased by 169% since 2010, so the work St Mungo’s do, day in and day out, is vital to help these vulnerable people get themselves off the streets.
If anyone would like to make a last minute donation, here’s the link to my JustGiving page.

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