Latest news with #Wainwrights
BBC News
28-05-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Coventry builder's 200 hill mission with hod full of bricks
A builder is completing a mission to climb more than 200 hills in the Lake District while carrying a hod full of bricks to raise funds for charity. Nigel Howell, nicknamed "The Hodfather", has completed 201 of 214 Wainwrights (or peaks) for charity Mind Over Mountains which helps people with mental health struggles. The Coventry man told the BBC he completes the climbs by carrying the hod of bricks, which weighs nearly 5 stones (30kg) on one shoulder for 100 steps, before swapping to the other shoulder. While most climbs have taken him three hours to ascend, he said at his peak he has completed up to seven hills in one day. He will complete the final Wainwright, The Great Gable, in June. "I usually start at 4.30 in the morning on a Saturday and get home Sunday afternoon and get to work and try to recover for the next time."It's not enjoyable, I wouldn't recommend it", he told BBC Radio CWR. Challenges Mr Howell has completed for charity while carrying the hod include the Three Peaks Challenge, a marathon, a coast-to-coast walk of Hadrian's Wall as well as climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, in Tanzania. The Mind Over Mountains charity helps people by improving their access to the outdoors."I've always struggled with my own mental health and the mountains have been a saviour for me," he said."I fell in love with the Lake District 25 years ago and have been visiting regularly since. The Wainwrights, the fells that were described in Alfred Wainwright's book Pictorial Guide to the Lakeland Fells, has been his hardest challenge to date, he added. Each brick in his hod has been sponsored for £500 by local businesses. Follow BBC Coventry & Warwickshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
10-year-old completes Wainwrights for record third time in under two years
Leo on the summit of Scafell Pike after conquering his third round of Wainwrights (Image: Supplied) A 10-year-old has completed all 214 Wainwrights for a record third time in under two years. Leo Mason, who lives in Frizington, completed his 642nd Wainwright on Sunday, May 4, when he climbed to the summit of England's tallest mountain, Scafell Pike. This ascent saw the young mountain climber, who was diagnosed with Tourette's Syndrome, ADHD, and hyperactivity at age seven, complete his third round of Wainwrights one year and eight months after starting his first and become the youngest person to complete the 214 fells three times and in the fastest time. Leo and his family at the summit of Scafell Pike (Image: Supplied) This latest achievement follows Leo becoming the fastest primary school-age child to complete the Wainwrights, conquering his second round in just 90 days between June 3 and September 1, 2024. ADVERTISEMENT After reaching the summit of Scafell Pike, Leo's father, Michael Mason, who supports the 10-year-old throughout his various challenges, was on hand to express his pride. He said: "Leo completed his third round of 214 Wainwrights on Sunday, May 4, climbing to the top of England's tallest mountain, Scafell Pike. "We set off at 6:30am and headed up to Lingmell first to tick off his 213 Wainwright, then we headed up Scafell Pike for his 214 on round three, this round has taken Leo just under eight months, at seven months and 30 days which now means he is officially the youngest person to ever complete three rounds of Wainwrights and the fastest at 20 months. "It was a lovely sunny day, but with an early start to the day, there was a bitter wind all the way up, and we got back down to the car for 12:10pm. "Leo is super happy and already ready to start round four this coming week." ADVERTISEMENT (Image: Supplied) Alongside his mission to rewrite the record books, Leo's journeys have also had another purpose: to raise awareness of the great outdoors for those with Tourette's syndrome. To do this, Leo and Michael document their progress during each 214-fell round on their Tickinemoff Facebook page, which is followed by over 7,000 people and reaches around one million people every month. After completing another record-breaking run around the Wainwrights, Leo is not planning to rest on his laurels and is due to travel to the Isle of Skye to take on the notorious Cullin Ridge, known as one of the UK's most challenging mountain routes, on May 13.
Yahoo
29-04-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Temperatures soar as Met Office predicts heatwave in Carlisle this week
Does something feel different today? Well, if you haven't stepped foot outside yet, temperatures across Cumbria are on the rise. In some areas of the UK, temperatures will soar past 27C, in Cumbria, temperatures are expected to be somewhat lower, but by no means freezing. Wednesday and Thursday are predicted to be the hottest days, while UV and pollen levels are expected to be very high. Where is the heat coming from this week? 🌡️ A broad area of high pressure is currently positioned over the UK, leading to sinking air that warms as it descends. Combined with prolonged sunshine, this is expected to push temperatures up to 29°C in southern areas by Thursday ☀️ — Met Office (@metoffice) April 29, 2025 High pressure continues tomorrow, with temperatures widely in the 20s, reaching a likely maximum of 28°C. The warmest day of the week looks set to be Thursday, with temperatures expected to reach 29°C across parts of England. Maximum temperature 21 °C. A fine day with plenty of warm sunshine after any early morning mist has cleared. Wispy cloud, perhaps making skies hazy at times but remaining settled with light winds. Some evening sunshine, still hazy at times. Remaining dry overnight with continuing light winds. Rather mild for most, though locally chilly for some rural areas. Minimum temperature 9 °C. Recommended reading: Lake District: 10-year-old to complete Wainwrights for third time RNLI reminder after flare seen off west Cumbrian coast More than 100 homes in Carlisle without electricity Another pleasant and dry day. Less cloud around will allow increasingly lengthy periods of warm sunshine with temperatures rising well above the late-April norm. Maximum temperature 25 °C. Chance of a few showers on Thursday as cloud builds, but still some sunny spells to end the week. Feeling fresher from Friday as temperatures drop slightly.
Yahoo
29-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
10-year-old to complete Wainwrights for record third time in under two years
A 10-year-old is set to complete all 214 Wainwrights for a record third time in under two years. Leo Mason, who lives in Frizington, will complete his 642nd Wainwright on Sunday, May 3, when he climbs to the summit of England's tallest mountain Scafell Pike. This ascent will see the young mountain climber, who was diagnosed with Tourette's Syndrome, ADHD, and hyperactivity at age seven, complete his third round of Wainwrights one year and eight months after starting his first and become the youngest person to complete the 214 fells three times and in the fastest time. Leo Mason (Image: Supplied) This follows Leo becoming the fastest primary school-age child to complete the Wainwrights, conquering his second round in just 90 days between June 3 and September 1, 2024. Supporting Leo on his record-breaking quest, his father, Michael Mason, who expressed his pride in how his son has conquered several challenges during his latest round of Wainwrights. He said: "Each round he has taken on harder ways up the wainwrights, much bigger hikes, with some nearly 20 miles long and over 6000ft of elevation gain. (Image: Supplied) "Leo has taken on every kind of weather to complete this round, from sunny days to full-on winter conditions to heavy rain and strong winds; he is unfazed and loves the challenge. "He wants to become the youngest person to complete 10 rounds." Alongside his mission to rewrite the record books, Leo's journeys have also had another purpose: to raise awareness of the great outdoors for those with Tourette's syndrome. (Image: Supplied) To do this, Leo and Michael document their progress during each 214-fell round on their Tickinemoff Facebook page, which is followed by over 7,000 people and reaches around one million people every month. Despite being on the cusp of another record-breaking run around the Wainwrights, Leo is not planning to rest on his laurels and is due to travel to the Isle of Skye to take on the notorious Cullin Ridge, known as one of the UK's most challenging mountain routes.
Yahoo
09-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Fundraiser conquers height of Everest in Wainwright challenge
A determined fundraiser is set to complete his challenge to climb all 214 Wainwrights in the Lake District in one year, three months ahead of schedule. Ken Johnston, a business liaison manager at Forth, embarked on the challenge in July to raise funds and awareness for Goodlives West Cumbria. This charity helps local residents find employment. Forth is an award-winning UK advanced technology solutions business with bases at Maryport, Cleator Moor and Barrow-in-Furness in Cumbria. Mr Johnston's dedication has seen him scale 9,587 metres in just six days, surpassing the height of Mount Everest, which is 8,849 metres tall. This is the equivalent of climbing Mount Everest and Eskdale's Harter Fell combined. Mr Johnston, who works at the engineering firm, is set to complete his challenge by the end of April. His determination saw him cover 100 miles in the process. The Goodlives West Cumbria teddy bear mascot accompanied Ken Johnston on his hikes (Image: Supplied) In January, he doubled the distance of a charity walk from Forth's HQ in Flimby to Goodlives' base in Cleator Moor, making it a 40-mile round trip. Mr Johnston said: "I am currently undertaking the challenge of walking all 214 Wainwrights so I thought I would continue that mission with the aim of scaling the equivalent of Everest in one week. "I'm known for pushing my limits, so of course I wanted to go higher and in less time – and, when I had surpassed in just six days, my next goal was to break the 100-mile mark. "This trek was tough going over boggy ground and I had to push on through painful blisters, but I wanted to really challenge myself to make the rewards of completing the hikes feel more worthwhile. "All of this is to raise money for, and awareness of, such an amazing charity which benefits the lives of many people living in West Cumbria." The fundraiser was part of Forth's campaign to raise £25,000 for Goodlives to mark the engineering firm's 25th anniversary. Mr Johnston is not finished with his fundraising efforts. Alongside his colleagues, he aims to conquer the Three Peaks of Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike, and Snowdon within 24 hours on July 12. This was the original date set by Mr Johnston to complete his Wainwright challenge. He will be joined by Lewis Mattinson, Aaliyah Rawlinson, and Imogen Frazer, with Graeme McLoughlin providing logistical support. Mr Johnston added: "As a company, Forth is really passionate about championing local causes and Goodlives West Cumbria does an incredible job in helping people improve and develop their employability skills to get them into work, thus benefiting the local economy. "It's a landmark anniversary for Forth as we celebrate 25 years in business, and that journey has included supporting our local community along the way. "We are determined to raise as much money as possible for Goodlives." During his challenge, Mr Johnston was accompanied by the Goodlives West Cumbria teddy bear as a mascot. For those interested in supporting Forth's fundraising campaign for Goodlives West Cumbria, donations can be made on Johnston's JustGiving page.
