Highland man to climb Ben Nevis 3 times in a day for mental health charity

A Highland man has set himself the incredible challenge of climbing Ben Nevis three times in 24 hours.

Kenny McLaughlin, from Ardtornish, is taking on the extraordinary test of endurance this May as part of Mental Health Awareness Week.

Having already raised almost £5000 which will go to suicide prevention charity, Samaritans, he told us: “the Samaritans is one of those things that we all have a connection with, directly or indirectly.

“Unfortunately, there’s far too many people that have got a connection somehow and it seemed a really appropriate thing to do”.

The 53-year-old has never climbed Ben Nevis before and only started walking Munro’s as part of his training for the challenge which is now six weeks away.

Kenny was also keen to highlight that: "The Highlands is a place that people love to come visit because it’s beautiful, it’s also a stunning place to live … but the Highlands has got one of the highest rates of suicide in the UK.

“There’s a section of people that live here, maybe younger people, who’s prospects are difficult. Financial stability can be difficult, we need to be aware of that and not lose focus of it.”

Kenny wanted to take on the momentous task to push further than his usual limits.

Despite a lack of experience in undertaking challenges like this, he remains confident he will be able to complete it.

Kenny continued: “I’ll get it done. I’m thinking adrenaline will get me through the first one. The third one - you’re just not going to not finish it at that point, its the second one I’m really not looking forward to because it’s a slog at that point."

He is aiming to have the first climb done in six hours, the second completed in 8, and cross the finish line in 10 hours.

Originally coming up with the idea in October last year, Kenny began training but soon hurt his back and was bed ridden for about six weeks but stressed it’s been a "full on three months of training” since then.

Kenny is currently training every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday meaning he is constantly climbing Corbett’s and Munro’s.

“On Saturday I’ll be on the Isle of Mull to climb Ben More twice in the same day. I’ll be across on the first ferry and 5 hours up and down the mountain then 5 hours up and down again and then back home.” He added.

Support from Manchester City

An avid Manchester City fan, Kenny has been supported by the club who sent him a signed Jack Grealish shirt to help with his fundraising efforts.

Ex club captain Andy Morrison has also offered to do the third and final climb alongside Kenny to help motivate him on the home stretch.

So far, he has raised almost £5000 and has been blown away by the support.

The Highland hiker will also be supported by family and friends who will likely join him on the other climbs and support from “down at the bottom with different things whether it be soup, sandwiches or a change of socks.”

Remaining rightfully dubious of any hopes of good weather during his trio of ascents he told us: “It’s Ben Nevis, you can get snow at any time of the year. We could be looking at all four seasons in one day. I’m preparing and training in all conditions at the moment”.

Having lived and worked in the shadow of Ben Nevis for years, Kenny is well aware of the scale of the challenge, but highlighted the iconic mountain is what "grabbed" him in.