The Claret Mountaineers are back in 2024 with a brand-new challenge. Over the past three years they have tackled 3 iconic and challenging mountains and mountain ranges of Snowdon, Brecon Beacons, and Scafell Pike.
Over the last three years the Claret Mountaineers have covered 25.6 miles, ascended 2,398m (7,867ft) and completed over 10 hours of walking on hilly and rocky terrain. From the fundraisers, they have raised a total of £27,195 which has gone on to impact over 580 participants from Disability, Health & Wellbeing and Women’s & girls projects.
From the £27,159 raised the money has helped fund 9 Fit Cobblers blocks, a free 12-week lifestyle behaviour change programmes aimed at adults aged 35-65 years, engaging over 100 participants, and seeing a total weight loss of over 250kg. Furthermore, the fundraising has helped pay for the facilities of the Multi Disability Football Club, Cerebral Palsy football sessions, The Northampton Town FC Walking Football Club, and the Girls PDC sessions.
This year the Claret Mountaineers will take on a new challenge in the form of the Jurassic Coast with the main goal of walking 23.4 miles within 9 hours. The starting point will be at Corfe Castle heading towards Lulworth Cove via Durdle Door before heading back up to Corfe Castle as the finishing point in a loop. The 2024 challenge is less about the ascension and more about the distance and the pressure to complete the challenge in 9 hours.
All fundraising proceeds to go towards the following.
• Further fund the Fit cobblers programme (x3 blocks) for a year
• Generate extra funding for the expansion of the upcoming Claret Walkers project.
• Fund the development of the Northampton Health and Wellbeing Hub
• Help fund the facilities costs of the Multi Disability Football Club
• Help fund the facilities costs of the Walking Football Club
• Help fund the facilities costs of the Girls Player Development Centres
Akshay Mistry and Russell Lewis, the Founders of the Claret Mountaineers said, “The achievements of the ever-growing group has been fantastic over the last three years, we’ve had participants join from a broad range of different backgrounds, whether they be project participants, volunteers, employees or members of the local community.
"Since our Snowdon fundraiser, we’ve had many people ask us about wanting to join us for a challenge and we’ve now been able to organise a second route for novices.”
For 2024 the Claret Mountaineers are looking to recruit new members who may be fans of the club, project partners and there will be a shorter 12-mile route for those who do not have great fitness but want to become healthier and fitter.
If you would like to register your interest for either of the walks then please email Akshay Mistry at akshay.mistry@ntfc.co.uk