An army veteran with serious health conditions set off on a solo supported one month trek to scale all 214 Wainwrights on Tuesday in a bid to raise £214,000 for Combat Stress.
Major Simon (Sip) Powers is not letting his physical injuries stop him from embarking on the month-long endurance challenge to take on all the Wainwright hills and mountains in the Lake District. He set off on Tuesday afternoon from Keswick’s Moot Hall where he was joined by Cumbrian mountaineer Alan Hinkes who accompanied him up the first climb up Latrigg in rain and thick cloud.
Sip will be the first person with serious health issues to attempt this expedition. He has Type One diabetes, a stoma and autoimmune syndrome, and has undergone major surgery on his intestinal tract to eliminate inflammatory bowel disease and prevent the possible spread of rectal cancer.
He is attempting the challenge carrying full expedition gear weighing approximately 20kg and will remain in the hills for the entire duration. If successful, he will be only the seventh person to have scaled all Wainwrights in one attempt,
He will be raising awareness and funds for Combat Stress, the UK’s leading mental health charity that provides treatment and support to former servicemen and women with post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Sip has set an ambitious fundraising target of £214,000, which is £1,000 for each peak he climbs. He plans to hike a minimum of 22km – the equivalent of a half marathon every day – so that he can conquer all 214 Wainwrights within a month.
He plans to be joined at various points by veterans and wounded soldiers, to challenge themselves in the great outdoors and at the same time assisting with their personal health and wellbeing.
Living in the wild for nearly four weeks is challenging enough but thanks to Sip’s 34 years in the military, he is well-prepared. He is stashing essential food, medical supplies and other equipment around the Wainwrights but the expedition is not without risks.
Sip said: “This challenge is designed to represent those UK veterans who carry their troubles on their shoulders and break boundaries to prove what is possible.
“I have never let my physical condition be a barrier to achievement and keeping physically active and being outdoors helps me tackle my own demons.
“I have lost friends, comrades and soldiers to suicide, and I know there are veterans who find it hard to transition to civilian life.
“Raising funds and awareness for Combat Stress by pushing myself to my limits is a way to encourage other people to take the first step and ask for help with their mental health.”
You can donate to Sip’s cause by going to www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Enduro-214
