Pembrokeshire man tackles three-peak challenge in memory of brother who took his own life
A Newport man is preparing for one of the toughest challenges of his life when he scales the three highest peaks in Wales as a tribute to his brother who tragically took his own life after battling mental illness for most of his adult life.
Darren Mutter will be climbing Yr Wyddfa, (Snowdon), Cader Idris and Penyfan, all within 24 hours on September 27 and 28. He plans to reach the Penyfan summit on the 28th, which is the day his brother, David, would have celebrated his 45th birthday.
"When I get to the top, I'll raise a glass as a tribute to David but also to help raise awareness of the all the fantastic resources that are out there to help people who may be struggling with their own mental health,," he said.
David struggled with his own personal demons for almost 30 years but sadly, on September 11, 2023, the struggle finally got the better of him when he decided to take his own life.
"Having seen David battle for all those years, I know how difficult it can be for people to accept the place they find themselves in, or to feel able to share their problems with a loved one," continues Darren.
"My brother had a very loving and attentive family and was also aware of what services were out there to support him. But the one thing that stopped him was the stigma surrounding mental health. But nobody should ever feel shame or the fear of being stigmatised - this is a problem that can be worked out with a bit of support."
Yet despite David's fear of having to confront his own personal issues, his courage was evident on a daily basis.
"Every morning David would wake up knowing he'd have to spend the rest of the day tackling those challenges, so this means that David showed a tremendous amount of bravery on a daily basis," said Darren. "Despite that 30-year battle, he showed a great deal of strength."
Meanwhile Darren is upping his own fitness regime in readiness for the three-peak challenge that lies ahead.
"I'm turning 50 next year which means I'm certainly no spring chicken, so I've had to step-up my weight training. Fortunately, because I'm lucky enough to live near Carningli Mountain, I try and go up it as often as time allows."
To make Darren's challenge even more demanding, he's decided to scale the peaks carrying a 43 lb weight on his back (19.5 kg).
"Forty-three pounds signifies the age my brother was when we lost him, so it'll be as if I'm carrying David with me for the whole event. Obviously this is a decent weight that pulls on the thighs and pulls on the shoulders, but when you consider how people with mental health problems struggle day in, day out, I'll have to endure the pain and discomfort for just 24 hours. When put into perspective, this is a small sacrifice to make."
Darren will also be using his challenge to raise money for two local charities - Get the Boys a Lift and the VC Gallery.
"Both charities provide free counselling, support and understanding to so many people from all walks of life and I just want to try and raise some money which will then be shared 50:50 between them. But I also want to try to get the message across that these incredible organisations are out there for everybody to use. All they have to do is reach out and ask.
"In the last few years of David's life he really enjoyed walking and climbing the Welsh mountains and he climbed all three peaks separately. We even climbed Snowdon together with our father a few years back, on David's 30th birthday, so I'll be thinking of the time he spent on the mountains.
"Being up there can be a really spiritual experience, especially when you reach the top and look out over the beautiful countryside in Wales."
If you wish to support Darren Mutter on his three peak challenge as he helps to raise funds for Get the Boys a Lift and the VC Gallery, visit his Justgiving page which you can find in the comments.
Pembrokeshire man tackles three-peak challenge in memory of brother who took his own life
A Newport man is preparing for one of the toughest challenges of his life when he scales the three highest peaks in Wales as a tribute to his brother who tragically took his own life after battling mental illness for most of his adult life.
Darren Mutter will be climbing Yr Wyddfa, (Snowdon), Cader Idris and Penyfan, all within 24 hours on September 27 and 28. He plans to reach the Penyfan summit on the 28th, which is the day his brother, David, would have celebrated his 45th birthday.
"When I get to the top, I'll raise a glass as a tribute to David but also to help raise awareness of the all the fantastic resources that are out there to help people who may be struggling with their own mental health,," he said.
David struggled with his own personal demons for almost 30 years but sadly, on September 11, 2023, the struggle finally got the better of him when he decided to take his own life.
"Having seen David battle for all those years, I know how difficult it can be for people to accept the place they find themselves in, or to feel able to share their problems with a loved one," continues Darren.
"My brother had a very loving and attentive family and was also aware of what services were out there to support him. But the one thing that stopped him was the stigma surrounding mental health. But nobody should ever feel shame or the fear of being stigmatised - this is a problem that can be worked out with a bit of support."
Yet despite David's fear of having to confront his own personal issues, his courage was evident on a daily basis.
"Every morning David would wake up knowing he'd have to spend the rest of the day tackling those challenges, so this means that David showed a tremendous amount of bravery on a daily basis," said Darren. "Despite that 30-year battle, he showed a great deal of strength."
Meanwhile Darren is upping his own fitness regime in readiness for the three-peak challenge that lies ahead.
"I'm turning 50 next year which means I'm certainly no spring chicken, so I've had to step-up my weight training. Fortunately, because I'm lucky enough to live near Carningli Mountain, I try and go up it as often as time allows."
To make Darren's challenge even more demanding, he's decided to scale the peaks carrying a 43 lb weight on his back (19.5 kg).
"Forty-three pounds signifies the age my brother was when we lost him, so it'll be as if I'm carrying David with me for the whole event. Obviously this is a decent weight that pulls on the thighs and pulls on the shoulders, but when you consider how people with mental health problems struggle day in, day out, I'll have to endure the pain and discomfort for just 24 hours. When put into perspective, this is a small sacrifice to make."
Darren will also be using his challenge to raise money for two local charities - Get the Boys a Lift and the VC Gallery.
"Both charities provide free counselling, support and understanding to so many people from all walks of life and I just want to try and raise some money which will then be shared 50:50 between them. But I also want to try to get the message across that these incredible organisations are out there for everybody to use. All they have to do is reach out and ask.
"In the last few years of David's life he really enjoyed walking and climbing the Welsh mountains and he climbed all three peaks separately. We even climbed Snowdon together with our father a few years back, on David's 30th birthday, so I'll be thinking of the time he spent on the mountains.
"Being up there can be a really spiritual experience, especially when you reach the top and look out over the beautiful countryside in Wales."
If you wish to support Darren Mutter on his three peak challenge as he helps to raise funds for Get the Boys a Lift and the VC Gallery, visit his Justgiving page which you can find in the comments.
https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/darren-mutter