A group of people with learning disabilities supported by United Response, along with their support staff, recently proved that there ‘ain’t no mountain high enough’ when it comes to taking on a challenge.

The 17-strong team recently battled 80mph winds and lashing rains to trek up Snowdon - the highest mountain in England and Wales.  The aim of the trek was to put fundraising into the hands of the people who would actually benefit from it.

Senior Support Worker, John Fulker, who organised the trek, said: “United Response’s work is all about supporting people to be in charge of their own lives and live up to their potential. The Snowdon Challenge did exactly that. Instead of just fundraising for people, it gave people the opportunity to be involved, to achieve an ambition and to raise money at the same time.”

The group wanted to build an outdoor covered seating area, so that they could make better use of the garden at the house where they live in Ipswich. They also wanted to make it possible for people from other local services to come and enjoy and socialise in the garden.

John knew that the group all enjoyed walking and so he suggested that they could do a sponsored trek. He put a few different ideas to the group of treks they could do and Snowdon was the popular choice.

John then worked with the other support workers to see if the trip was viable. As part of their research, they sought advice from mountaineering and walking organisations.

John said: “It’s a long trek up Snowdon and we knew that it may be too far for some of the people who wanted to take part and so we decided to divide up the trek and ask people to sponsor us per section. This meant that those who might only make it a quarter or half way up could still help with raising the funds.”

After a lot of hard work, they got the trip organised and set 17th June as the day for the big ascent. The day before the group set off for Wales by minibus. Rain was forecast for the next day, but the group was determined to take on the challenge.

The next day, first group set off on the Llanberis path and John’s group attempted the more challenging Pyg route. The weather however was not on their side. Despite the odds the first group still made it half way up the1085m summit and John’s group made it to the 800m mark. The group’s efforts have managed to raise £2,100 so far, and money is still coming in.

John said:“It was very hairy. There was lashing rain and gusts of winds of up to 80 miles-an-hour. It’s incredible when you think of what we were up against. I was exceptionally proud of the grit and determination that the support users showed – it was a real challenge, not a walk in the park. It’s very difficult to carry on in conditions like that.”

United Response supports people with learning disabilities, mental health needs and physical disabilities to live in the community, across England and in Wales.
 

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