Kevin’s two-day 10 mountain peak Mournes challenge for Barnardo’s

Kevin’s two-day 10 mountain peak Mournes challenge for Barnardo’s

14 December 2016

A DOWNPATRICK man has climbed 10 mountains in the Mournes for charity.

Kevin McCormick raised almost £800 for children’s charity Barnardos through the Seven Sevens mountain challenge in the Mourne Mountains, adding an extra three peaks onto his climb for good measure.

Kevin, who has worked for Barnardo’s for 19 years, completed the two-day challenge with his daughter Laura to mark the charity’s 150th year.

The challenge usually encourages participants to climb seven mountain peaks over 700 meters.

On the first day Kevin and Laura climbed eight peaks including Meelbeg, Meelmore, Bearnagh, Commedagh and Donard and the second day they climbed Lamagan and Binnian.

Kevin says he chose the challenge because he lives near the Mournes and the idea had been in the back of his mind for some time. 

When Barnardo’s 150th anniversary came around, he decided to finally sign up.

“The official Mourne Seven Sevens is done in one day but Laura and I decided to do it over two days but it was still exhausting,” he said.

“Our only physical training had been climbing Meelbeg a few weeks before, however I had done 

a lot of research on the best routes and safety so we were well prepared that way. 

“The first day was cold, wet and windy with poor visibility. The toughest part was when we came down Commedagh and still had Donard to climb and we were wet and tired. 

“On the second day there was a lot of cloud which made it very cold but it cleared up as we climbed Binnian. 

“When we stood up on the Summit Torr of Binnian it was a brilliant sense of achievement and the views were stunning. 

“Laura was a star and a brilliant support over the two days. I could be persuaded to do something similar again but not for a wee while.”

Kevin manages Barnardo’s NI Choices for Children service which offers short breaks, autism support and information and inclusion of disabled children in community services.

His Just Giving Page is https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Kevin-McCormick2 for anyone who would like to sponsor his effort.