HCC climbs mountains for mental health

A dedicated team of staff from Hybu Cig Cymru – Meat Promotion Wales (HCC) and EID Cymru are set to tackle Wales’s 3 highest peaks ahead of Mental Health Week ( 13- 19 May 2024), the theme of which is “Movement: Moving more for our mental health”.

The 18 strong team will set off in the early hours on Saturday 11 May at the bottom of Yr Wyddfa, before tackling Cadair Idris and then Pen y Fan in a 24-hour period. They are also raising money for various charitable causes including mental health charity Tir Dewi, the Wales Air Ambulance and British Heart Foundation.

Leading the initiative is HCC’s Campaigns Executive Philippa Gill, who said: “Mental health affects us all in some way or another. Walking and getting out in the fresh air is a great way to help our mental health and that’s why we’re tackling this challenge ahead of Mental Health Week.

“Not all of us move as much as we should and by getting out in the fresh air, training for this challenge with the team for many months, we are all feeling better and are enjoying the chats we have when out walking.”

HCC chair Cath Smith added: “I wish the team the very best of luck and kind weather conditions. As an organisation we care about the mental wellbeing of our team and also that of the industry.

“Through initiatives such as this one, we aim to also raise awareness of the help that is available to those who are struggling with their mental health and encouraging people to reach out, share the load and not suffer in silence.

“The agricultural industry, though resilient, has dealt with exceptionally wet weather conditions and is facing monumental changes in the months ahead. It is even more important now to look out for one another and point people towards help if it looks like they might need it. We have many mountains to climb in the near future, but for now, I wish the team the very best of luck with their Welsh 3 peaks challenge.”