Continuing to tackle his depression through climbing, BMC member Jake McManus is helping to promote Mental Health Awareness Week by climbing 50 routes in 24 hours at Windgather. Fancy joining him or taking on your own challenge?

The theme of this year’s Mental Health Awareness Week (12 - 18 May) is anxiety, one of the leading causes of mental ill-health. 

Jake has been sharing his own story through his Climb Out website.  Jake says "I want to help raise awareness by completing a climbing challenge. So I’m going to try to climb 50 trad routes in 24 hours on 17-18 May at Windgather Rocks and Castle Naze in the Peak District. That’s enough anxiety for anyone!

Jake completed a similar challenge last year and is hopes to get more people involved this year. Jake says "I’m hoping that other climbers will enter the challenge with me or complete a challenge elsewhere. It's fantastic that so many people have already got on board and organised their own events or personal challenges."

Climb Out events line-up

50 Climbs in 5 hours at Manchester Climbing Centre - Wednesday 14 May, 5pm onwards
There will be a discount entry fee for everyone who enters the Manchester Climbing Centre challenge if they mention Climb Out. 

Jake's Windgather challenge - Saturday 17 May, 11am onwards
Complete 50 trad routes in 24 hours at Windgather and Castle Naze. This is an informal event and climbers will be responsible for themselves. You'll need to be self-sufficient on the day but there will be lots of moral support. Please be considerate of other climbers and visitors who are not attempting the challenge.  Organised by Climb Out.

Free abseil at Blackford Quarry - Sunday 18 May, 1pm - 5pm
Take part in the free abseil at Blackford Quarry, Hermitage of Braid, Edinbrugh. Courtesy of Get Out Adventures.

Everyone who enters either of the 50 routes challenges will have a chance to win a Metolius Simulator 3D training board kindly donated by Beyond Hope Climbing in Manchester. The name will be chosen out of a hat at the end of the weekend. 

How can you  help?

If you would like to support the Climb Out challenge please fill in the form on the Climb Out website. You can either join Jake's challenge at Windgather or give him the details of a challenge of your own so he can tell the world about it. 

If you don't fancy climbing 50 routes in a day, then Jake is asking you to show support by helping someone you know. This could be a friend, a family member or a stranger. It could be a chat, an email or simply sending a text with a 

Is this a fundraising event?

Jake is not fundraising as this is a charity challenge with a difference. "Giving money is easy" says Jake, "taking the time to support someone close to you is often forgotten about and is much more charitable.  When my body’s hurting and I’m ready to give up, I will be thinking of anyone who’s suffering  mentally, physically or both. This is my way of saying things can change, never give up, people do care."

Still want to raise some funds by doing the challenge? Climb Out isn’t a charity and doesn’t have the facility to raise money. But if you do want to raise money Jake suggests supporting the Team GB Paraclimbers or a charity of your choice.

Why do it?

Read Jake's story here.

If you've got any questions please email Jake.

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