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Alex Staniforth

Alex Staniforth

Adversity Adventurer, Motivational Resilience Speaker, Author and Mental Health Activist

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Climb The UK – A route to all 100 UK counties!

You are here: Home / Climb The UK / Climb The UK – A route to all 100 UK counties!

April 21, 2017 by AdversityAdventurer 4 Comments

My latest challenge nears closer – reaching the highest point of all 100 UK counties on bike, foot and kayak in just over two months.

I will now be starting on Saturday 13th May, during Mental Health Week. The pressure is on!

Have I got what it takes? Thing is, I’ll never be truly ready. We just have to start and find a way. If it doesn’t scare you, it ain’t big enough… besides, I’m used to things going wrong ๐Ÿ˜‰

Really chuffed that so many people have offered help and company when I’m in their neck of the woods. That’s what #ClimbTheUK is all about. Whilst I won’t have a support vehicle (only a support crew for kayaking to the Isle of Wight) I hope to get as many people involved as possible along the way.

I’m still busy plotting my precise route which, with 72 days and at least 4,000 miles, is taking quite a while, copious amounts of coffee, and hours of running to clear my head. From a logistical point of view, it was like trying to do a jigsaw without realising half the pieces were missing…

 

Oh, this is the bit where I ask for YOUR HELP…

  1. Do you work at a school? A youth group? A DofE group? A mental health group?
  2. Do you want to come along and join me for a walk/cycle/run?
  3. Does your business want to be part of the challenge?
  4. Want to kindly sponsor me with any spare change?
  5. Do you live on the route and have a good biscuit supply? Only joking… seriously, got any Custard Creams?

I want to get as many young people engaged as possible – whether it’s joining me, doing live Skype sessions with schools, or dropping in along the way.

Anyone is welcome to join me, whenever, wherever. My precise routes and timings will follow soon on a live tracking map courtesy of Viewranger so please keep an eye for details on my website…

To raise as much as poss for Young Minds, I am looking for businesses to sponsor a county top for as little as ยฃ100.

With the right support almost anything is possible. A big British thanks to Yorkshire Bank for sponsoring the three Yorkshire tops, and Czarnikow Group for sponsoring the two London tops. Both have heard my journey in speaking form, and I’m delighted to have them part of this one.

Big thanks also to Sharples Group, one of my Everest 2015 sponsors and continual supporters, and Rotary Club of Bentley Cheshire, for pledging their support for mental health too. Thanks as always to my head sponsors Westgrove Group for making it possible.

And of course, every ยฃ counts for helping young people with mental health challenges get the understanding and support they desperately need. More people are speaking out, which is amazing, but what next? How do we get the help for people facing these issues? 100% of donations go to support Young Minds UK work, and all mean so much.

I ain’t no Prince Harry… but if Climb The UK inspires one person to speak out, seek help, and push on, then it’s worth every metre.

JustGiving - Sponsor me now!

Category iconClimb The UK,  Inspiration Tag iconadventure,  alex staniforth,  challenge,  cheshire,  climb the uk,  Counties,  cycling,  fitness,  mental health,  mental health week,  outdoors,  prince harry,  running,  walking,  yha,  young minds

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Jane Harrad-Roberts says

    April 22, 2017 at 5:23 pm

    Go Alex!

    Reply
  2. Kate Smith says

    April 22, 2017 at 6:50 pm

    Hi Alex I spoke to my nephew about an interview but he said it would be tricky to justify it as you are not from that area of the BBC but I did try. With you all the way Kate

    Reply
  3. Colin says

    April 22, 2017 at 7:12 pm

    Are you mad? Maybe your just nuts but I want to wish you all the very best Alex on your next adventure!

    I hope to meet you in Devon somewhere with a packet of Custard Creams.

    Colin
    Mount Everest Facts

    Reply
  4. Dan pidcock says

    April 23, 2017 at 7:44 am

    We/you could get in touch with BBC 3 counties radio, they should like to do a piece as your 29 Jun day covers all 3 of their counties!
    There is a daily show (Nick Coffer) that talks about issues and fund raising which would seem appropriate.
    Rachel has spoken to them about the child growth foundation and has some contacts.

    Great idea hope it all goes well!

    Reply

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alexstaniforth_

Challenges are what I do.
Ultra-running, Adventure, Mental Health.
Founder @mind_o_mountains. Author. @inov_8 @ellisbrigham Athlete.
๐Ÿ‘ฃ Lake District

Alex Staniforth
Just keep swimming! No better place to finish 32 Just keep swimming!

No better place to finish 32 swims in 32 days than 2km across Buttermere into the sunset with friends. 

It was one goal I never managed last year but I'm glad - because last night it meant so much more. It's been my easiest challenge to date, yet one of the most fun. Getting to be a clueless beginner once again, exploring 32 places and sharing it with 18 friends old and new has been a blast. It's been great to discover an amazing community who use cold water for managing anxiety and stress too. I always thought they were mad - but now I totally get it ๐Ÿ˜‚ Once I get back from Canada in September I'll be back in the water again.

Mental health will always be one of my biggest challenges, so thanks to everyone who's donated to @mind_o_mountains to help us support mental health through time in nature alongside professional support. Still way off my target so please give if you can.

Despite nearly losing my GoPro in Buttermere, there'll be a short film soon to share the highlights... In the meantime, thanks to @kenny.d.block for the ace photos.
.
#32dipsin32days #wildswimming #swimming #openwater #lakedistrict #lakes #lakedistrictuk #mentalhealth #sunset #buttermere #speedouk #mindovermountains #lakesswimming #adventure #wildswimminguk #openwater
Why stop with a pool like this? That's 30 dips i Why stop with a pool like this? 

That's 30 dips in 30 days complete. But mental health is a daily process, not just a month. So if you're in the Lakes tomorrow, come and join us at Buttermere for the finale. I'd wanted to swim Wastwater but that's the usual challenge voice kicking in, and pushing myself too much right now defeats the object. 

Swim the full 2km, paddle or even walk along the lakeshore. All are welcome. 6:30pm at Gatesgarth Farm (or 7:30ish on the other side). It's looking like a scorcher!

Even if you're not in the Lakes, why not join us virtually by going for a dip at your nearest water or pool at 6:30pm? @bestillstephen is joining us from Bala Lake in Wales! Please stay in your limits though, especially in the hot weather. 

It's not too late to sponsor a swim for @mind_o_mountains if you can - link in bio - thanks for your support! 

๐Ÿ“ธ @andydicksonforce4good

#wildswimming #lakes #lakedistrict #openwater #30dipsin30days #lakedistrictuk #ullswater #summer #wildswim #challenge #mindovermountains #mentalhealth #getoutside
Progress rarely goes in a straight line. We want Progress rarely goes in a straight line. 

We want to keep getting better every year and to keep pushing the bar as we build our confidence, experience and resilience. 

This year I had more races booked and even bigger challenges planned than the last. But Covid had other ideas for me.

This week I've pulled my last race of the year (Lakes In A Day) in October to try and recover for 2023.

But this week I also: 

- Swam Loweswater, where we started the Lakes, Meres and Waters run back in April. That was my first 100 miler and I'd never have believed that I'd end up swimming across it 4 months later.

- Went for my first swimming lesson in 20+ years. Less tears and tantrums this time, but lots still to work on.

- Swam Derwentwater with Tim Mosedale, my Everest 2014 + 15 expedition leader. Opposite where Tim took me on my first rock climb 12 years ago. I was probably equally knackered, to be honest. 

This year's progress looks more like a rollercoaster wave than a straight line, but what goes down, must come back up again. Trust the process.

๐Ÿ“ธ @andymiltonphotography because he did a grand job. 

@ellisbrigham
@inov_8
@ordnancesurvey

#playthelonggame #ultrarunning #wildswimming #lakedistrict #longcovid #covidrecovery #enduranceathlete #ultrarun #lakedistrictuk #lakes #getoutside #ultrarunner #100miler #setbacks #injuredrunner #mindset #progress
First swimming lesson in 20+ years. Turns out you First swimming lesson in 20+ years. Turns out you don't get badges when you're 27 though. Gutted! 

I had developed my very own swimming style which generally involved swallowing the water of various lakes, meres, waters and rivers in the last 25 days. You're never too late to learn something new. Thanks Heather @south_lakes_swimming for putting up with me!

@speedouk

#stillwantmybadgethough #30dipsin30days #swimming #openwaterswimming #openwater #windermere #lakedistrictuk #lakes #fellfoot #wildswimming #training #speedouk
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