Hi, my names Chris Barton and I'm fundraising for Mind UK by attempting the National Three Peaks Challenge, which requires me to hike up Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Mount Snowden within 24 hours. This will be a challenge to me both mentally and physically but is worth it for this amazing cause.

Mind UK is a mental health charity that aims to help those affected to speak out and remind them they are never alone. Mind UK offers a safe space and provides resources to those that need it most, such as: Infoline, which offers confidential help for the price of a local call, the Legal Line which offers information on mental health law and award-winning information, available online and in print.

This cause is dear to my heart as I have struggled with mental health issues before in my life and many of those close to me have too.

I have chosen this challenge as I believe that exercise, fresh air and speaking out are simple things that make a huge difference to mental health. I want to encourage people who may be struggling to go outside, speak to people and exercise to show them that the little things make a massive difference.

In 2023, there were 7,055 deaths in the UK officially registered as suicide,

that's an average of 19 a day, 135 a week and 587 a month.

74% of which were men below 50

That's thousands of men and women who were unable to speak out and saw no other way out. There are still hundreds of thousands of people in the UK who are suffering in silence and Mind UK aims to show and support those individuals that life is worth living.

Although the majority of suicides in the UK are men I believe that Mental health is a national issue, this is why I have chosen a unisex charity in the hope that the funds I raise will help men and women alike.

Thank you for checking out my page and I'm really hoping you can donate, even a pound will help this amazing charity support a vulnerable person who needs someone to listen.

Chris