Mencap is organising a climb up Wales’ highest mountain to raise money and challenge stigmas about what people with a learning disability can and can’t do...
The learning disability charity has joined forces with its new ambassador, Hollyoaks star Emily Burnett, to embark on a trek up Snowdon.
The trek will take place on August 28 and will see a group of people with a learning disability and others without, including a number of other Hollyoaks actors, climb 1,085 meters to reach the summit.
Push To The Peak came about after Emily, whose Aunt Teresa has a learning disability and has always wanted to climb the mountain, approached Mencap for support.
“My aunt is turning 60 next year, and after being told as a little girl she wouldn’t live that long we decided we needed to do something major to celebrate,” said Emily. “As well as becoming an ambassador for Mencap, which I’m delighted about, I’m so excited about taking on this challenge with my friends and colleagues, other people with a living disability but most importantly with my aunt.
“She’s had a profound impact on my life – I call her my sunshine and I can’t wait to highlight some of the societal struggles but also to share the many joys, the beauty and the talent that comes with having a learning disability or having someone with a learning disability in your life.”
The participants, of which there are set to be 30, will be taking the Llanberis track up and down the mountain and have all pledged to raise at least £1,100 each for Mencap resulting in at least £30,000 going to the charity to help people with a learning disability live a happy and healthy life.
“It will be good to do this walk,” said Emily’s Aunt Teresa. “I’m so geared up for it now. We first talked about it last year, me and Emily. She said about Snowdon. And I said, ‘We’ll do it!’
“I wanted to raise money for Mencap as I have been going to a swimming club that is supported by them for the last 32 years! Emily has roped in some of her friends and colleagues from Hollyoaks and The Dumping Ground to take part in the challenge including James Sutton and Kia Pegg.
“I think all of us have thought at some point ‘Oh, this is a really big challenge. Are we going to get there?’ But then we just think about Teresa and her one track mind and we know we can do it. She’ll get to the top no matter what.”
To donate to those taking part or to find out more go to https://www.mencap.org.uk/ev ent/pushtopeak