Big Steps for Small Feet

At 1am, exactly 1 week after Fathers’ Day 2019, our cofounder Michael McGuire and a friend started their ascent of the UK’s highest peak, Ben Nevis in Lochaber, Scotland. As they sat on the top of the UK to breathe in the beauty of the sunrise an idea began to form, a vision to bring bereavement charities and the families they support together in an epic challenge. That very day Michael got to work contacting charities across the country to invite them to join together to climb Ben Nevis at night. By November of that year, of the many charities he spoke to 9 charities caught the vision - Bliss, Child Bereavement UK, The Lullaby Trust, Sands, Held in Our Hearts, Star for Harris, Twins Trust, Together for Short Lives, and Tommy’s.

The walkers would set off up Ben Nevis in the evening on Saturday 13 June 2020, just after sunset and, should be at the summit to experience the sunrise. As the highest point in Scotland and the British Isles, Ben Nevis stands at the lofty height of 1343m (roughly 40,00ft). Reaching the summit of this mountain at night will be an unforgettable challenge, with the way lit only by the moon and torches. As the walkers descend, they will see the spectacular landscapes open up before them as the day grows lighter before celebrating their achievement with a team breakfast.

And with that first collaborative challenge (which was postponed to 2021 due to the COVID Pandemic) a wonderful annual fundraiser was born!