Two men, three peaks and a 24-hour dash

Two men, three peaks and a 24-hour dash

21 August 2013

TWO Downpatrick men are preparing to take on the Three Peaks Challenge for charity. Housemates Sean Branagh (33) and John Blaney (26) are keen hill walkers, but now they have decided to take up the challenge of climbing three of the highest peaks in the UK.

In the space of just 24 hours they will be climbing the highest mountains in Scotland, England and Wales to raise money for mental health charity Mind.

Sean said: “Every couple of years I try to do something for charity. I have always been into hill walking and from my late 20s I rediscovered the Mournes.

“I 2011 I climbed Ben Nevis for the Alzheimer’s Society with my sister and that was organised through the charity.

“It’s in my nature to go bigger and better every year. I didn’t do anything last year as you can’t ask people for money every year.

“This year I heard Stephen Fry talking about why he set up Mind and I saw what they do.

“Then I saw about the Three Peaks Challenge and I said to John, as he is interested in walking in the Mournes too, so that is how it happened.

“We have a minimum target of £1,100 to raise as the charity asks you to raise at least £550 per person taking part. At the minute we have raised £680, but we are hoping to raise a lot more.

“All causes are worth raising money for, but you can only choose one at a time. Mind is one of the smaller causes but still every bit as important as the others.

“We have been walking in the Mournes twice a week. It’s a tough challenge but we have been putting the effort in to make sure we are well prepared for it.

“I know John’s ability is as good as mine and we are both ready for it.

“We fly to Liverpool on Friday, September 6, meet up in Chester and then travel up to Fort William to spend the night.

“The next morning we climb Ben Nevis, then we are off to the Lake District to climb Scafell Pike, the highest peak in England, at night and then we go to Snowdon in Wales.

“We are to be at the bottom of Snowdon within 24 hours of starting. I am looking forward to relaxing afterwards and we will see our family and friends when we get home as we are straight back onto our flight afterwards.

“John and I have covered out flights and costs so that is not out of our sponsorship. It wouldn’t be fair to ask for sponsorship for that,” he said.

If anyone would like to donate to Sean and John’s fundraising hike for Mind visit http://sean-john-3peaks.com or contact Sean on mobile: 07703 800220.