A pair of Perth adventurers will embark on a trek up one of the world’s tallest mountains this weekend, to raise funds and awareness for mental health.
Alex McClintock and Adam Allison will set off on Thursday to tackle an eight-day, 20,000ft ascent of Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania.
Since announcing their plans in March, the pair have raised more than £1,200 for local mental health charity Andy’s Man Club.
Alex and Adam have been involved with the group since it was formed in September 2017. It has grown to 65 members and held a special anniversary ceremony at the Caledonian Bar last month.
Alex said: “One year ago we were struggling to get people through the door.
“Now at our last meeting we had 26 people and we have 65 members. To see the club growing is really positive and shows we must be doing something right.
“This trip will be a once in a lifetime opportunity and probably the biggest challenge we will ever do.”
The Perth contingent will tackle Kilimanjaro alongside seven members from Andy’s Man Clubs in England.
October is Mental Health Awareness Month and their aim is to have a club meeting at the summit at 19,341 feet.
Alex and Adam both work as physical education instructors at HMP Perth and since starting Andy’s Man Club, they have helped prisoners with their mental health, holding large open group meetings.
During their climb, the inmates will also be attempting the challenge by matching the distance the pair travel each day during their gym sessions.
“Every day is broken down in stages, so we are maybe only doing 6 kilometres but we are climbing up and down different levels,” added Alex.
“When the people in the prison are doing their gym sessions that day, they will also bash out the same distance that we are doing, so everyone is working together.”
He said it was another example of people pulling together for the cause.
“The people and businesses of Perth have been so generous and they have helped us raise £10,000 so far,” he said.
“We have put around £1,500 directly into Perth Andy’s Man Club to help with future events, with a lot of the funds helping us get to Tanzania and up the mountain.
“We have smashed our fundraising targets, but it was never really about money for us, we hope to raise awareness of mental health.”
To donate go to https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/andysmanclub-kilimanjaro?utm_id=120.
