Stepping out at Scammonden for mental health charity

The challenge was finished at 2am on Monday and took the duo just over 40 hours to complete with only a one-hour sleep break.

To put the feat into perspective, they each covered 130km in distance, which is the equivalent to three marathons, and they hit the same elevation as Mount Everest, as well as battling extreme ice and snow conditions throughout the weekend. They have currently raised just over £17,000.

The challenge was taken on 105 times to raise awareness of the amount of suicides per week in the UK and Wales in 2019 and the money raised will be going towards two full Get Fit 4 Mental Wellness eight week programmes which will see participants who struggle with their mental wellbeing be given the tools to prosper and improve their mental health.

Manuel is the Founder of Get Fit 4 Mental Wellness, of which Stephen is a trustee.

Manuel said: “The support has been amazing ever since we announced the challenge but more so over the past weekend, I have been blown away by the messages, donations, food and equipment donations. It really helped us through.”

Stephen said: “We are overwhelmed by the support and it is amazing to be able to give back by raising enough funds to run two back to back Get Fit 4 Mental Wellness eight week programmes”

Scammonden Steps began in January 2019 with just five people, including Manuel, and has grown into a weekly event for people in Calderdale with all ages and backgrounds attending to improve their mental wellness.

The charity’s Wednesday drop-in hub provides families the chance to access support in a relaxing environment with food and drinks on offer before heading out on a walk and talk and has proved to be very successful. The charity has also launched their right-week programme which sees ten people, five men and five women, who are in need of support for their mental health put through a tailored programme with specialists to help them improve their mental well-being and ultimately, graduate from the course and move onto new challenges in their lives.

For more information, visit https://www.getfit4mentalwellness.com/.