Hiking Five Peaks for Aspire

Last year, we raised £1,700 through a mountain hike in Snowdonia.

This year, we’re aiming even higher. On 28th September, as a team of 24 intrepid walkers, we're heading to the Brecon Beacons National Park to walk almost 12 miles. We'll scale five summits: Corn du, Pen y fan, Cribyn, Fan y big and Craig Gwaun Taf. We’re facing this gruelling challenge to raise £5,000 for Aspire.

Aspire is an Oxfordshire charity focused on homelessness and unemployment, supporting over 1,800 people each year.

Your donations will support Aspire’s social prescribing programme, helping people to get fit, stay connected, and make lasting changes in their lives.

What is social prescribing?

Aspire runs activity sessions for people who have been out of work for some time, are in recovery, or are struggling with their mental health. 

Sessions take place at venues like Blenheim Palace and the Park Club gym. As participants stay fit and social, they improve their mental wellbeing and self-esteem. For many participants, social prescribing offers a vital sense of structure, helping them to avoid isolation.

Social prescribing provides a pathway to Aspire’s other services, such as housing and employment support. Aspire’s tailored support helps individuals to realise their potential: regular social prescribing sessions are part of a broader journey towards independence and security. Through Aspire’s social prescribing, breaking a sweat means breaking barriers to social inclusion.

Social prescribing helps people like Anthony, who previously attended Aspire’s boxercise classes. He was supported by Aspire to become a coach for this activity. With Aspire’s help, Anthony found motivation and empowerment. Aspire supported his career development as he progressed back into employment. Anthony now works for the NHS at Littlemore, Oxford, supporting people with their mental Health.

Our challenge:

By raising £5,000, Aspire could make these sessions more effective and accessible than ever. With your help, we could reach even more people, using the power of exercise and community to help people change their lives.

Our team of 24 walkers includes:

- Aspire and Park Club employees who lead and facilitate sessions
- Turning Point staff who work closely with Aspire
- Connection Support staff
- Social prescribing participants. 

Together, we’re taking on this challenge to support Aspire’s vital work. Every step we take will help to support marginalised people across Oxfordshire.

Please donate what you can to help us take our fundraising to new heights.

With thanks to Marriott Courtyard South for providing snacks.

Mountain Climb Team 2024