I am undertaking three challenges before I turn 40 in September to raise funds for Newcastle United Foundation. The three challenges are;

1) Mount Toubkal trek in June (info below)

2) Great North Run

3) Complete all 214 Wainwrights, a series of fells in the Lake District

In June 2026, myself and my colleagues, Caroline and Dawn along with an amazing team of fellow trekkers will undertake the 3 day long climb of Mount Toubkal under the hot Moroccan sun. This climb up North Africa's highest mountain will raise vital funds for Newcastle United Foundation's Health and Wellbeing Programmes, a cause that all three of us are so passionate about due to seeing the day to impact on participants and families that walk through our doors every day.

This is the second year that the Foundation have completed the challenge- Andy and Caroline are undertaking the daunting task for the first time and Dawn is crazy enough to be attempting it two years in a row! Last years event helped us to raise an astounding £60,000 to support our activity and we're hopeful that with generous support we can go someway to matching that total in 2026!

Story

In June, our team will leave the familiar streets of the North East and take on the rugged climb to the summit of Mt Toubkal, North Africa’s highest peak at 4,167m. The days will be long with a tough ascent and even tougher on the knees coming down! But every step we take in the High Atlas Mountains reflects the steps we see participants taking every week in our Dementia Friendly Walking Football sessions, steps filled with courage, connection, and hope.

This trek isn’t just another challenge.

It’s a mission to ensure these life changing sessions can continue to grow, reach more families, and create moments that matter.

Why supporting our amazing group of trekkers matters:

Across our region, there are people living with degenerative health conditions which isolates thousands of people, not just those living with the condition, but their loved ones too. Our Walking Football sessions breaks through that isolation. It offers a safe, joyful space where people can move, laugh, reconnect, and feel part of something again.

As the need for access to our sessions becomes greater, so do the costs to cover this. To put into context, the cost to run our Health and Wellbeing programmes is around £200,000 every year, so we are going above and beyond to help raise the money to do this and continue to provide much needed sessions across our region. The more money our group doing this trek can raise, the more families we can support via this vital service.

Please take a couple of minutes to watch Ken and Keith's journey

A huge thank you for taking the time if you're read this far, we're so grateful for any support you can give to support us on our challenge!

Newcastle United Foundation uses the power of football to connect, motivate and inspire people in our region. Through community, education, health and wellbeing, and sports programmes delivered across Newcastle, Northumberland, North Tyneside, Gateshead and County Durham, we strive to improve physical and mental health, boost learning and career prospects and provide life-changing opportunities for everyone – no matter their goals in life.