MEMBERS from a gym in Northwich are getting set to climb up Mount Snowdon to raise funds for a national mental health charity.
The team from Namix Performance Centre on Denton Drive will take it it turns to carry a kettlebell as they make the ascent up Wales' highest peak in aid of Mind.
With gyms across the country having to close as a result of three national lockdowns during the Covid-19 pandemic, mental as well as physical health, became a challenge for many.
Charlotte Wood, who runs the gym with her personal trainer brother Tom Merrick, explained how the importance of mental health came to the fore.
"Through the pandemic we found out more about the impact it had on mental health," she said.
"We found that our role at the gym was actually a lot more than just improving physical health.
"A lot of our members came back to the gym after lockdown and spoke about the need of actually seeing other people rather than just using the equipment.
"So it became really obvious to us that that was the way we needed to go as a company."
As a result, the gym began to organise social events for its members as a way of improving interaction and promoting mental health.
"We've had a bowling night and a spring gym social at a local bar in town," Charlotte said.
"And on Sunday, May 15, we're doind the Snowdon climb, which is basically a social event, but raising money for Mind at the same time.
"It's a charity close to our hearts as we've all struggled with our mental health, including myself, when trying to keep the business intact during those tough Covid times.
"We've had other members who've actually used the services provided by Mind, so we thought why not support them back as well."
A team of around 10 will take on the challenge, with the carrying of the kettlebell acting as a metaphor for sharing the burden of mental health.
"It was actually Tom's idea to climb Snowdon.
"We then decided to take a kettlebell as a form of symbolism for sharing the burden of mental health.
"So everyone will take it in turns fo carrying the weight up to the summit."
If you want to support the team in their efforts you can do so via JustGiving - justgiving.com/fundraising/namix
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