University of Lincoln students fundraise for ManUp? by climbing the Yorkshire Three Peaks.

Sixteen university students will set out to complete the Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge in a bid to raise £2500 for a men’s mental health charity.

They aim to raise money for ManUp? which is a charity directly funding research into male suicide rates.

Owen Hardwick and 15 other University of Lincoln students will embark on their journey across the Yorkshire Dales on October 13 starting in Horton-in-Ribblesdale.

Owen explained why ManUp? was their choice of charity: “I’ve had my own struggles with mental health and some of the others have too.

“ManUp? do loads of events to get men out and talking.”

The group hope to complete the 24-mile Yorkshire Three Peaks within the 12 hour limit of the official challenge but say that just finishing it is enough for them.

They will start the climb with the Pen-y-ghent which is the smallest of the three peaks and will then hike Whernside and Ingleborough.

When talking about his reasons for selecting the route Owen said: “It was an easy decision.

“It has a reputation as such a big challenge and it’s a very physical but doable one.”

The group will start training with a series of five to 10 mile hikes across Lincolnshire and these will be some of the boys’ first hiking experience.

“Everyone’s really excited, some are nervous but men’s mental health is such a big challenge we’re all just ready to raise money.

“It's a great charity to get people talking.”

Owen has set himself hiking challenges to fundraise for two other charities in the past, raising money for both Macmillan Cancer Support in 2023 and the Lashes Foundation in April.

by Abby Rampling