Story
Those who know me know that hiking up a mountain is usually the last thing I'd sign myself up for, but here we are!
I’m taking on Mount Toubkal to support the Newcastle United Foundation’s work with people living with dementia - a cause that really matters and impacts far more people than we often realise.
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.
Every penny donated is greatly appreciated and 96p in every pound will go directly to supporting our sessions
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
As for the challenge itself… it’s three days trekking in the Moroccan heat, climbing to over 4,000 metres, and VERY much outside my comfort zone - but luckily I’m doing it with a brilliant group of people, which makes it feel slightly less unhinged!
It’s a challenge I’ve chosen, for people who don’t get that choice. So if a few days of sore legs and questionable decision-making can help raise money for something this important, then I’m all in.
Any donation (and moral support when I start questioning my life choices halfway up) would mean a lot - thank you 🤍