This July, one of our clients, Arron, will be taking on the National 3 Peaks Challenge alongside his support worker, Garry, to raise funds for Pitt Hopkins UK.
Arron, together with his childhood friend Thorne, will attempt to climb the three highest peaks in Scotland, England and Wales, Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Snowdon, over the course of three days. The challenge will see them cover approximately 23 miles of mountainous terrain, ascend more than 10,000 feet, and travel around 1,050 miles between locations.
For most people, this would be an exhausting physical undertaking. For Arron, it represents something far greater.
Arron lives with an acquired brain injury (ABI) and faces daily cognitive and physical challenges that are not always visible to others. These include memory difficulties, reduced motivation, challenges with planning and executive decision-making, communication difficulties, and sensitivity to changes in routine. He also manages physical impacts such as balance difficulties, joint problems, and epilepsy, all of which add further complexity to undertaking a challenge of this scale.
Despite these barriers, Arron has developed a strong passion for walking and continually pushing his own boundaries. Over recent years, he has completed a number of endurance walks and personal challenges, demonstrating remarkable determination, resilience and commitment to personal goals.
The National 3 Peaks Challenge will test Arron physically, mentally and emotionally. However, he is determined to take on this challenge not only to push his own limits, but also to raise awareness of acquired brain injury and the often unseen challenges faced by those living with it.
This challenge also holds deep personal significance for Arron, as he is undertaking it in support of his goddaughter, Chaeli (Thorne’s daughter), who has a diagnosis of Pitt-Hopkins syndrome.
With the support of his support worker, Garry throughout the journey, Arron is aiming not only to complete the challenge, but also to inspire others and highlight what can be achieved with the right support in place.
We are incredibly proud of Arron for taking on this challenge and would warmly welcome support from colleagues, friends and the wider community. In particular, we invite others to join and cheer Arron on during the final climb up Snowdon on 24th July, including Positive Support staff and those who have been part of his rehabilitation journey.
Any donations, large or small, will help raise vital funds for Pitt Hopkins UK and provide encouragement to Arron as he takes on this extraordinary challenge.