Hi, I'm Marit, and this September me and my best friend Nina are walking the Great Glen Way and climbing Ben Nevis in support of Ewen's Room.

Disclaimer: I work for Ewen's Room. All money donated through this page will be used by the charity to pay for general costs and salaries as well as funding projects that support people directly when they are most in need. If you prefer to donate to a specific programme or project, see here.

Suicide Prevention is very personal to me. Please continue reading with care.

In 2019 at the height of the pandemic, stressed and burnt out, I stood by the canal and it looked better than the life I was leading. In 2025, displaced from my home for the 4th time in just as many years, the Loch looked similarly appealing. Each time, I was lucky to find support from people and organisations that helped me cope better, gave me strength back and cared for me until I felt ready to carry on.

I am not alone in that experience. Nina has had it. Many others face suicidal ideation. Not everyone is lucky enough to push through it and come out the other end alive.

Ewen's Room wasn't really a place I had expected to work, and yet, it's been one of the key reasons I am still around. Ewen's Room works in Lochaber to bring compassionate, caring support to anyone struggling with their mental health. Nina and I joined the Step Outside Project earlier this year, a walking group built for people struggling with their mental health and wellbeing. It saw me through one of the most traumatic periods in my life.

Walking is one of the best ways we can take care of ourselves. Clearing the mind, being outside, moving, challenging ourselves. And talking - should-to-shoulder, with someone else on a similar journey! It helps!

Out of it we hatched the idea of walking the Great Glen Way and climbing Ben Nevis - for ourselves first and foremost, and perhaps to inspire others to seek help and to support Ewen's Room with a wee donation.

Here's our plan:

Day 1: Gairlochy - Laggan Locks - 12.8 mile

Day 2: Laggan Locks to Invermorriston - 19.4 miles

Day 3: Invermorriston to Drumnadrochit - 13.7 miles

Day 4: Drumnadrochit to Inverness - 18.8 miles

Day 5: Ben Nevis - 10 miles but heckin steep!

We've got lots to celebrate along the way: We're still here, we're still whole, Nina is 5 years sober and I am turning 33 at the top of the Ben!

If you can, celebrate with us! Send us a cheer or a personal message, sign up for a support programme, or donate a few pounds to support Ewen's Room's work in Lochaber.

Thank you so much!

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