Fundraisers go to great heights to support young carers

Crossroads Care Welsh Three Peaks Challenge

A team of 23 fundraisers, including staff from the Rochdale office of Carers Trust in Greater Manchester, conquered the Welsh Three Peaks last weekend to raise funds to support young carers in local communities.

So far over £2,000 has been raised to give carers aged seven to 19 a break from their role as an unpaid carer.

The group of hikers set off at 6.30am last Saturday to complete the toughest of the three climbs first. Pen y Fan has no flat bits so it was an uphill struggle but the team completed it and then raced over to Cadair Idris.

A small group took the most physically demanding track up the final assent just in time to see the sunset from the summit.

The descent was done with head torches and the group passed mountain rescue who had been sent to recover two missing adults (later found).

A night in a bunkhouse, strangely decorated with snakes and bearded dragons, and the group were up at 5am to tackle Wales’ highest mountain Snowdon which treated the group to the most amazing views when the cloud lifted whilst they were at the top.
The challenge includes a total walking distance of 17 miles (27.4km) and an ascent of around 1500 metres (4920ft).

The charity’s CEO Paul Parlby, who is a fully trained mountain leader and led the expedition said: “We have had an incredible weekend, the weather was in our favour and I would like to thank everyone who has taken part. This was not for the feint hearted but we all had a fantastic and memorable weekend. Even though the blisters are still hurting we are already dreaming up some more exciting challenges for next year.”

All funds raised will boost the charity’s ‘Who Cares About Me campaign?’ which aims to provide young carers with a much needed break from their caring responsibilities.

Fundraisers for Carers Trust in Greater Manchester are looking to raise £10,000 to provide children as young as seven years old, who are carers, with a weekend break, time to relax and have fun whilst Carers Trust experts step in to look after their loved ones for them.

There are currently over 700,000 young carers in the UK.

Paul added: “There are many children who cannot have a ‘normal’ childhood because they are looking after a relative. These children do a fantastic job but really deserve a proper break. We have a team with the expertise to deliver that but we need to raise funds to make it happen.”

It’s not too late to support the Carers Trust in Greater Manchester Welsh Three Peaks Challenge team. To donate, visit:

https://www.justgiving.com/campaigns/charity/crossroadscaringforcarers/welshpeakschallenge