Earthquake survivor from Kendal climbs 446 mountains
A survivor of a devastating earthquake in Nepal has climbed 446 mountains in 45 days to raise thousands of pounds for a mental health charity.Alex Staniforth, from Kendal, in Cumbria, had been climbing Mount Everest in 2015 when a 7.8-magnitude quake killed about 9,000 people and injured more than 20,000 others.Marking the tragedy's 10th anniversary and his turning 30 this year, he set out to scale all the mountains in England and Wales while running and cycling between them.His challenge started at Dartmoor on 16 May and finished in the Lake District on Sunday with more than £30,000 so far donated to Mind Over Mountains, an organisation he founded in 2020.
The journey saw him travel to Bristol and through the Brecon Beacons and North Wales, before reaching the Peak District, the Yorkshire Dales, Northumberland and the Lakes.Mr Staniforth told BBC Radio Cumbria it was a "relief to be done" and that he was "enjoying the fact I don't have to run or bike anywhere today"."Having a night at home in my own bed was quite a luxury. It's not really sunk in."It was a goal I'd had for years and years, but it had often felt impossible."The last few days were so wild and wet, but then on Helvellyn it changed to the perfect afternoon. Sharing that last peak with people there was a very special moment."It might be a while before anyone is daft enough to try to go quicker."
In the UK, a mountain is generally considered to be a summit of more than 2,000ft (600m), according to the Ordnance Survey.In all, Mr Staniforth said he ascended almost 10 times the height of Mount Everest.Working as a motivational speaker, he launched the Mind Over Mountains charity having dealt with anxiety and depression since he was a teenager.It uses nature walks and outdoor activities to support people with mental health issues."Being outside has helped me manage it," he said."It's not a cure or a magic pill, but it's a tool other people could benefit from."So many people are suffering with their mental health and the biggest cause of death in under-35s is suicide."We've had lots of support over the last few days and every pound makes an impact."
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