My Husband, Mum, Dad, Nana and Personal Trainer think that I am crazy, but I've agreed to take on an incredibly difficult and physical challenge. I'm going to climb 10 peaks in the Lake District in just 12 hours and then run 10k too!

Why would I do this?!

This challenge is very personal to me. I'm doing In in memory of one of my closest friends, Andrew 'Roo' Smith who sadly passed away on Boxing Day. Roo was a wonderful older gay man who had also benefited from the community groups Manchester Pride funds. He absolutely loved the Lake District but suffered from a serious lung condition that prevented him from almost all forms of activity for the last decade of his life. He dreamed, often with tears in his eyes, of walking the hills of the lakes again one day but alas it was never to be. So I'm going to do it for him, likely with tears in my eyes too.

I'm also one of the trustees of Manchester Pride, it's a role I love and an organisation that I am truly passionate about. As a grant-giving charity, Manchester Pride creates fundraising opportunities through events, and has raised over £1.3 million since achieving charity status in 2006. In 2016 Manchester Pride distributed 46 grants to LGBT community groups, organisations, events and initiatives in Greater Manchester including The George House Trust Welfare Fund, Queer Media Festival, LGBT Foundation Condom & Lube Scheme, Older & Bolder, Black Gold Arts Festival, Trafford Carers Service, Village Manchester Football F.C., Mancunian Way, Biphoria, the Village Bakers, plus many more. Often these grants are the only reason the small community groups and cultural projects can even exist.

So wait, what is it I'm going to do?

Challenge 1

The Borrowdale valley is one of the most iconic valleys the Lake District has to offer. Surrounding it’s upper reaches are some of the finest, and tallest mountains in England, and the objective of this challenge is to try and climb them all in just 12 hours.

From the sleepy hamlet of Seathwaite, my journey will start alongside a cascading waterfall as I make headway for Great Gable, the 8th highest mountain in England. On the way I will ‘bag’ 2 further peaks. A long descent from Great Gable is followed by a journey up towards Scafell Pike via the Corridor Route, the original guides route on the mountain. Scafell Pike, the highest mountain in England is conquered after Lingmell, and the half way mark is also met. The second half of the challenge consists of taking in the rocky subsidiary tops of Scafell Pike, and then Great End, the 6th highest mountain in England. Just two peaks remain before journeying back to the start point.

In total there is 32km of walking and over 2000m of climb over 10 peaks thrown in for good measure. Can I do it in just 12 hours? Your donation will ensure I do!

Challenge 2

So as if climbing 10k wasn't enough, you get a very special two-for-one offer when you donate so please dig deep! I will also be running the Manchester 10k on 28th May (on my wedding anniversary no less).

Am I crazy? Probably but if it means that vital funds are raised for important community and cultural projects then it's worth the pain.

Please, please give what you can.

Love you always Roo x

https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Rob-Malcomson