A team from Sunrise Cornwall CIC, a suicide-loss support organisation, is taking on one of the UK’s toughest fundraising challenges this month. Fifteen members will climb Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Snowdon/Yr Wyddfa between September 26 and 28, aiming to raise £6,000 for free community support across Cornwall.
The group includes Co-Founding Director Elliott, along with Nick, Tobias, Mand, Cassi, Rob, Dani, Jo, Matt C, Michaela, Matt M, Toby, Ross, Kev and Samara. Fellow Co-founder Serena and Danielle, who both lead the organisation’s yoga events, will join for the final ascent of Snowdon, bringing the team to 17 climbers for the last peak.
More than £3,200 has already been raised through the crowdfunding campaign. Supporters can donate here: https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/sunrise-cornwall-cic-three-peaks-challenge
The challenge is sponsored by Dash Dive, which is providing two minibuses free of charge for the entire trip. Sunrise Cornwall said this support will “make a huge difference” to the logistics, allowing the team to travel together between the mountains and ensuring more of the money raised goes directly towards its core work.
Sunrise Cornwall CIC offers free, safe and supportive events, workshops and activities for adults affected by suicide loss. Its programme focuses on music, art and wellbeing, with creative workshops, music events, yoga, nature-based activities and chances to spend time with people who understand.
The CIC was founded by Serena and her husband Elliott after the suicide of Serena’s younger brother, Sonny, in January 2019.
Money raised through the challenge will help Sunrise continue and expand its programme of free, accessible events and wellbeing activities across Cornwall. The organisation said it will “create more opportunities for people to come together, try something new, get out and about, connect with others and discover ways to support their own wellbeing.” Funds will also help strengthen the community of trained facilitators and volunteers who make these activities possible and help reach people who might otherwise feel isolated or alone.
Serena said: “When we started Sunrise Cornwall CIC, we wanted to create the kind of community we had needed ourselves after losing Sonny — somewhere people could come without judgement, meet others who understood and feel that they weren’t alone.
“The Three Peaks challenge is a huge physical challenge for all of us, but in many ways it represents what Sunrise Cornwall CIC is about. None of us will be climbing those mountains alone. We’ll be supporting each other, encouraging each other and celebrating every milestone together, in memory of the loved ones we have lost.”
To find out more, visit: https://sunrisecornwall.org.uk/
Cornwall Suicide-Loss Charity Takes on Three Peaks Challenge