The Cornwall team taking on Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Snowdon

Fifteen people from a Cornwall community group are about to spend three days climbing three of Britain’s biggest mountains, and not one of them is doing it alone.

The team from Sunrise Cornwall CIC, a Cornwall community interest company (CIC) supporting adults affected by suicide loss, sets off this Saturday, 26 September, on the National Three Peaks Challenge. Over three days, running into Monday 28 September, they will climb Ben Nevis in Scotland, Scafell Pike in England and Snowdon, also known as Yr Wyddfa, in Wales.

📷Some of the Sunrise Three Peaks team on a training walk. Credit: Sunrise Cornwall CIC

Three days, three mountains

The full team taking on all three peaks is Co-Founding Director Elliott, along with Nick, Tobias, Mand, Cassi, Rob, Dani, Jo, Matt C, Michaela, Matt M, Toby, Ross, Kev and Samara.

Fellow Co-Founder Serena Pettigrew-Jolly and Danielle, who both lead a number of Sunrise Cornwall CIC’s yoga events, will join the group for the final climb of Snowdon, taking the number on the mountain to 17 for the last peak.

The team is aiming to raise £6,000 through its Crowdfunder, with more than £3,200 already in by the time they set off.

📷Team Sunrise. Credit: Sunrise Cornwall CIC

A free ride from Dash Drive Redruth

Moving 15 to 17 people and their kit between three mountains in three days is its own challenge, and the team has had a boost from Dash Drive Redruth, which is sponsoring the trip with two minibuses free of charge for the whole three days.

The support cuts out a significant logistics cost and means more of the money raised goes directly towards Sunrise Cornwall CIC’s core work. Sunrise Cornwall CIC has thanked Dash Drive for getting behind the challenge and the wider community.

📷Drumming experience at a Sunrise Open Day. Credit: Sunrise Cornwall CIC

Three Peaks. One Community.

For Sunrise Cornwall CIC, the challenge is about more than the climbing. The team reflects the community at the heart of the organisation. Some of those taking part are Sunrise Facilitators, trained to support attendees at the organisation’s free activities. Others in the team are people who regularly attend Sunrise Cornwall CIC events themselves, having been personally affected by suicide loss.

Sunrise Cornwall CIC was founded by Serena and her husband Elliott following the suicide of Serena’s younger brother, Sonny, in January 2019. It runs free, safe and supportive events across Cornwall for adults affected by suicide loss, themed around music, art and wellbeing, including creative workshops, music events, yoga, nature-based activities and simply time spent with people who understand.

Serena said: “When we started Sunrise Cornwall CIC, we wanted to create the kind of community that we had needed ourselves after losing Sonny, to compliment the projects and services that already exist in Cornwall, offering a range of opportunities to suit many different people and interests. We wanted somewhere people could come without judgement, meet others who understood and feel that they weren’t alone. Our free events are no-pressure, inclusive, accessible and welcoming.

“The Three Peaks challenge is a huge physical challenge for all of us, but in many ways it represents what Sunrise Cornwall CIC is about. None of us will be climbing those mountains alone. We’ll be supporting each other, encouraging each other and celebrating every milestone together, in memory of the loved ones we have lost.”

📷Art workshop. Credit: Sunrise Cornwall CIC

What the £6,000 will fund

The money raised will help Sunrise Cornwall CIC continue and develop its programme of free events, workshops and wellbeing activities for adults affected by suicide loss across Cornwall, creating more chances for people to come together, try something new, get out and about and find ways to support their own wellbeing.

It will also help the organisation strengthen its community of trained facilitators and volunteers, who make the activities possible and help reach people who might otherwise feel isolated or alone.

“That’s exactly what we try to create at Sunrise Cornwall CIC,” Serena said. “A community where people can take the next step, whatever that step looks like for them. We’re hoping to raise £6,000 so we can continue providing free activities for connection for adults across Cornwall affected by suicide loss. Every donation, however small, helps us create more opportunities for people to connect, feel understood and find hope.”

📷Yoga. Credit: Sunrise Cornwall CIC

How to help

Sunrise Cornwall CIC works alongside local organisations and services including the NHS Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Suicide Liaison Service, Man Down, Georgia’s Voice, Pentreath, Cornwall Mind, Suicide&Co and SOBS. Since launching its first event in January 2024, it has delivered more than 100 free events, workshops and activities across Cornwall.

Donations to the Three Peaks Challenge can be made through the team’s Crowdfunder page. By Monday evening, 17 people will have stood on top of Snowdon, in memory of the people who brought them there in the first place.

📷Walk for Wellbeing with Sunrise Cornwall CIC. Credit: Sunrise Cornwall CIC