MEMBERS of a Northwich gym have successfully carried kettlebells up Mount Snowdon and raised hundreds for mental health charity Mind.
A team of 14 from Namix Gym on Denton Drive took on the unique challenge of climbing Wales’ highest peak and carrying between them some 32kg of weights.
Chris Wood, the gym’s owner, explained the symbolic idea behind carrying the kettlebells, which proved to be more difficult than original envisaged.
“It was myself and Tom (Merrick – gym manager) and I who came up with the idea as a way to make it more of a challenge,” he said.
“So many people go up Snowdon every year and we just wanted to make it more significant for mental health.
“We came up with the symbolic idea of people who suffer with their mental health often feeling like they have an added burden – like carrying a ball and chain almost.
“That was how we came up with the idea of carrying the kettlebells between as a group to share that burden.
“In theory it seemed like a good idea, but when we actually came to the climb the mountain on the Sunday (May 15) the combined weight of 32kgs proved to be a lot tougher than what we thought!”
Despite the extra weight of the two kettlebells – one weighing 20kg and one 12kg – the team managed to reach the summit in around two hours and 45 minutes.
“We all stuck together and didn’t get spread out,” Chris went on to say.
“Everyone could see if someone was struggling a bit, so they could take over.
“And that was the whole point of the idea – everyone coming together and help each other out.
“There were quite a few of us who had never climbed up Snowdon or any other mountain before, so when we got to the top it was such a real buzz.
“To achieve that with some of our members was absolutely fantastic and it’s something that will always stick with them.”
Chris was keen to thank gym member Roger Rayner, of Route 5 Pursuits, who helped plan and guide the climb and also acted as the group's designated driver.
The gym has so far managed to raise more than £500 for Mind but you can help them even more by donating via JustGiving - justgiving.com/fundraising/namix
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