Bourne man summits FOUR of UK's highest peaks in 48 HOURS
The expedition was to raise funds for the mental health charity Don't Lose Hope
Last updated 14th Jun 2022
A man from Bourne has been telling us all about one of his most challenging mental and physical experiences in life.
Ex-school teacher Dom Brister was part of a small expedition that climbed to the summit of Snowdon, Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike as well as The Cheviot - all in the space of 48 hours.
With 20 years experience as a mountain leader, Dom was only originally part of the plan as a safety guide - but after his friend Toby Roberts said he wanted to raise funds for the mental health charity run by Dom's wife Nicola, he said he had to get involved:
'On my (Facebook) live on the top of Ben Nevis, I was in tears, that was relief, that was a massive emotional release. I've struggled with mental health issues over the years and ultimately every little win is a release', he said.
The power of social media
Dom said all three members of the team went through dark moments during the gruelling challenge - but a show of support from the online community was part of what kept him going.
'You hear on Facebook or through messages that people are watching that you don't even know. Someone, through a friend of a friend, they left us a can of gin and tonic right at the top of Ben Nevis, because they knew we were going up.'
The outpouring of support from social media has helped Dom and his friends raise over £3,000 - money which will directly help cover the costs of counselling sessions at his wife's mental health charity Don't Lose Hope.
'With all the funds at the moment we're on just over £3.5k which, for going for a bit of a walk up a hill, is pretty amazing. Within Don't Lose Hope, every £20 is a counselling session, so all of that money goes straight back into Don't Lose Hope.'
Follow this link to be taken to Dom's "4 in 3" GoFundMe Page