A group of men from Eccles are set to take on the Three Peaks Challenge, aiming to raise £3,000 for a local mental health charity.
The group of 16 men will be taking on the challenge in Yorkshire on Saturday 21 July, and will be aiming to complete the challenge in 10 hours.
The fundraiser will be aiming to raise for the local Eccles charity Cleaner and Dryer (CAD).
CAD was set up following the unexpected death of local and much-loved Mancunian father, Chris Drysdale who sadly took his own life due to depression.
And the group host weekly sessions in the smaller gym at Eccles Boxing School.
Lee Middleton, volunteer, and mentor of CAD said: “I have been training at Eccles Boxing School for the last 14 years, and I have been a regular there – and the owner, Brian, allows us to have the space for free.
“We set it up, as we realised the issues and suffering that was happening to more and more guys, and it had to stop.”
He continued: “So, we got started after one of the boxers at the gym, and a friend wanted to a start a mental health group.
“When he explained it to me, it was initially going to be a free group for men to come together, who are going through difficult times, it was set up to give them a place – I was involved from day one.”
And the charity has been having a positive impact on those in the community, through their sessions and unique method.
Lee continued: “We are aware of the fantastic groups around the area, but we want to do something different – we do it in two parts, a 45-minute fitness session and then do a group talk called the circle.”
The circle invites men in the group to sit and relax together and talk about their week and get things off their chests.
“It only takes one person to start talking, and it is so inspirational to hear, how many have comeback to talk to us and it is changing people.”
And with the support and fitness they offer a few of the lads in the group wanted to attempt the Three Peaks Challenge.
Lee added: “So a lot of us were going to start a fundraiser for a variety of charities, and it only made sense to put it all towards CAD.
“The target is 12 hours, but we are aiming to get 10 hours. And we thought that it would just be a good idea to give back to the area and raise so money
“We want to help local blokes and make a real change in Eccles and Salford.”
Through fitness, at the Eccles Boxing School they will hope to use that to help ascend the three peaks over one weekend.
“I have raised money before doing the Manchester half-marathons, marathons, and climbed Snowdon – but this will be a different challenge in itself, it is three peaks not just the one, so it is going to be hard on the legs,” he said.
CAD (Cleaner and Dryer) is a registered charity which helps people overcome addictions, mental Health, alcoholism, loneliness, abuse and anxiety.
The group was set up to bring men together and promote health and wellness of all people both young and old through various social and physical activities.
And not just helping others, the charity and change has had a positive impact on his own life, as he added: “You know throughout my 20s and 30s I wasn’t looking after myself, and I got told by a doctor to change my lifestyle.
“I am now 54, and I am a different man because of this, as once you start living healthy and talking, it can really help people.”
The charity, which was originally only set up for men have since launched their own women’s group alongside another men’s group in Failsworth.
Cleaner and Dryer have a strong focus on helping people in the community and will be aiming to continue that after the challenge.
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