AN ADVENTURER, explorer and Everest avalanche survivor has climbed Plynlimon mountain in Ceredigion as part of a charity challenge.

Alex Staniforth, 22, climbed the mountain last Thursday as part of his Climb the UK challenge in a bid to raise £20,000 for Young Minds UK.

By the end of the challenge on Sunday, Alex will have climbed peaks across the UK to the equivalent of scaling Mount Everest 13 times in aid of the charity which supports mental well-being among children and young people.

Starting in Cheshire on 13 May, the challenge has seen him scale all the highest points of the 100 counties throughout England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

The two-and-a-half month challenge has so far raised over £15,000.

Young Minds UK is particularly close to Alex’s heart as he has suffered from mental health issues since he was a boy.

“I can understand the problems young people face because I’ve been there,” Alex said.

“Mental health has often been a bigger challenge to me than attempting to climb Mount Everest.

“I have raised over £60,000 for charities through my outdoor exploits so far, but only recently has the mental health crisis in young people really come to my attention.

“We hear it all the time, and I suddenly feel the need to do something to fight this battle against a hidden but very real illness.”

For information and to donate, visit www.justgiving.com/climbtheuk.

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