An army veteran from Saffron Walden will be climbing England's highest peak to raise money for a mental health charity.

Ali Smith, 49, left the army in 2004 and was using a wheelchair, with injuries to her back and hips and bilateral compartment syndrome - an increase of pressure in a muscle - in both legs.

Due to her injuries, Ali said she was "fairly inactive" for 20 years, progressing only to small trips on crutches.

She then moved forward in her recovery by joining Unique Gym and starting a targeted fitness regime. 

Ali said: "A year and a half ago I joined a gym called Unique Gym and they have got me fitter than I was, and they dreamed up this challenge that a lot of us would climb Scafell Pike."

To train for the challenge, Ali and the other climbers did a 10-mile charity walk in Dover, and have been training twice a week with walks in the area.

The climbers will set out with compression socks and walking poles to tackle the mountain on Sunday, June 30.

You can donate to support Ali's challenge at https://www.gofundme.com/f/alis-scarfell-pike-challenge.

Ali is hoping to raise money for The Sunflower Community Project, a non-profit organisation which helps adults struggling with anxiety, depression and stress across East Herts and West Essex, including Saffron Walden.

The project offers one-to-one counselling, drop-in groups and structured groups.

Ali, who said she is "nervous and excited" about the climb, said: "Through Sunflower I have just started a year's worth of counselling to deal with trauma around my PTSD and BPD and I am also attending a creative for wellbeing group and a wellbeing course run by them.

"All of the money raised will help others to access their services."

READ MORE

Ali has so far raised over £1,500 - smashing her initial £1,000 target - and is now hoping to raise £2,000.

Unique Gym is based at Shire Hill Industrial Estate in Saffron Walden, and promises to help users transform their body and fitness in six weeks.

Sessions are coached by personal trainers, with group personal training sessions available.