Sunrise Cornwall’s Three Peaks: 70mph winds, then sun on Snowdon

For two mountains, a team from Cornwall could barely see the path in front of them. On the third, the cloud lifted.

Fifteen people from Sunrise Cornwall CIC took on the Three Peaks Challenge between Saturday 26 and Monday 28 September, climbing Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Snowdon (Yr Wyddfa) in memory of loved ones lost to suicide. They set out to raise £6,000. The total so far is more than £8,800.

📷Sunrise Cornwall CIC conquer Ben Nevis. Credit: Sunrise Cornwall CIC

Fifteen hours north, then Ben Nevis in the rain

The team was made up of Co-Founding Director Elliott Jolly, Sunrise facilitators Nick, Mand, Cassi, Rob, Samara, Matt and Jo, and Sunrise supporters Dani, Matt, Toby, Michaela, Ross, Kev and Tobias.

They travelled between the three mountains in two minibuses sponsored by Dash Drive.

The journey north took 15 hours. Ben Nevis then met them with rain and poor visibility, which made it hard to see the path ahead. They reached the summit together.

📷Smiling despite the rain. Credit: Sunrise Cornwall CIC

Winds of around 70mph on Scafell Pike

Scafell Pike was no kinder. Winds reached around 70mph at the summit, and by then the team was exhausted. They kept supporting each other and made it to the top.

📷On top of the world at Snowdon. Credit: Sunrise Cornwall CIC

Blue skies on Snowdon

Then came Snowdon, and sunshine.

Blue skies and clear views greeted the team on their final mountain, where they were joined by Sunrise Co-Founder and Director Serena Pettigrew-Jolly and Sunrise Yoga Event Leader Danielle. They reached the last summit together.

📷Moment in the mountains. Credit: Sunrise Cornwall CIC

“You take the next step”

Every step was taken in memory of people who are no longer here. Along the way the team met other walkers and shared stories. There were tears, laughter, exhaustion and frustration, and plenty of encouragement too.

For the team, the weekend came to feel a lot like mental health itself. There were stretches when they couldn’t see the summit or the path ahead, when tiredness and doubt crept in, and they kept putting one foot in front of the other.

Elliott Jolly, Co-Founder and Director of Sunrise Cornwall CIC, said: “There were moments when it was really, really hard. The weather was horrendous, we were exhausted and there were definitely times when we questioned what we’d signed ourselves up for!

“But then you remembered why you were doing it. We were doing it for the people we have lost, for those left behind and for everyone who has been affected by suicide.

“The mountains became such a powerful metaphor for mental health. Sometimes you can’t see the summit or the path ahead and you don’t know how you’re going to keep going. But you put one foot in front of the other. You take the next step. And if you can’t do it alone, somebody walks beside you.

“That’s what Sunrise Cornwall CIC is about: community, connection and finding hope when you can’t see it for yourself.

“Standing on top of Snowdon together, in the sunshine, after everything we’d been through was incredibly emotional. It felt like hope.”

📷Sun over Snowdon. Credit: Sunrise Cornwall CIC

What the money will pay for

Sunrise Cornwall CIC is a community interest company that runs free, safe and supportive activities for adults aged 18 and over across Cornwall who have been affected by suicide loss. Its events are based on music, art and wellbeing, and the money raised will go towards that programme.

The organisation was founded after Serena’s younger brother Sonny died by suicide in January 2019. It held its first event in January 2024 and has since delivered more than 120 free events, workshops and activities across Cornwall.

It works alongside the NHS Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Suicide Liaison Service, Man Down, Georgia’s Voice, Pentreath, Cornwall Mind, Suicide&Co and SOBS.

Sunrise has thanked everyone who donated, shared and supported the challenge, and Dash Drive for the minibuses. The team hopes the trip will get people talking about suicide, grief and mental health.

The Three Peaks Challenge Crowdfunder page shows the running total.

📷Team Sunrise. Credit: Sunrise Cornwall CIC