Robert Lippiatt, 35 from Chessels, Bristol, will be embarking on the incredible feat of running the Tensing-Hillary marathon this summer in aid of local mental health charity Off the Record Bristol.
The mammoth marathon, a 26.2 mile ascent of Everest, takes place annually and Rob will run in May 2016 for a cause close to his heart: Off the Record Bristol.
Off the Record Bristol provides free, specialist mental health support to young people in Bristol, and this year celebrates its 50th anniversary doing so – making OTR one of the oldest services of its kind in the country.
Rob will donate 100% of his fundraising efforts to Off the Record, having been struck by the support the charity provides for young people who experience difficulties he is all too familiar with.
Despite the physical and mental extremes the Everest challenge will present, Rob – who works for the South Western Ambulance Service – says the marathon ranks as the second hardest challenge he will have ever faced.
He explained:
“I have already climbed my own personal Mount Everest and it has taken the best part of two years to get the courage for me to speak out about it. Only my family and one or two close friends knew the true extent of my mental illness and the battle I have fought. There was no ‘trigger’ to the start of my illness; it just seemed to slowly creep up on me. It was only when it started to impact on my daily living that I began to even consider that I may be suffering from a mental health condition. I had started to develop anxieties about simple day to day tasks, so much so that I began to avoid going out so that I didn’t have to deal with those anxieties”.
Since starting his training for the marathon, Rob has visited Off the Record and was suitably impressed by the innovative services of the charity for young people in Bristol. These include counselling sessions, youth anti-stigma campaigning groups (Mentality), LGBTQ outreach (Freedom), stress-busting workshops (The Resilience Lab), and outreach across the whole of Bristol and South Gloucestershire.
Rob added:
“I was blown away by the welcome I received at Off the Record. The staff were really interested in my own personal story. They told me all about their charity and how they support young people aged between 11 and 25 who are suffering from all types of mental health issues.
I was really impressed with the work that OTR do to help and support young people with what is often perceived to be an ‘unmentionable’ illness. I know from personal experience that there is very little freely available help out there for those suffering from this debilitating condition. Obviously, the earlier you can give support to someone the better chance there is of managing the symptoms and thus allowing them to live a normal life.
I decided there and then that this charity deserved some financial help and as much publicity as I could give them through my fundraising”.
Having been diagnosed with depression and anxiety, Rob was signed off work and was helped by cognitive behavioural therapy sessions and medication. Over two years later, Rob is now relishing his challenge, and donations are already rolling in.
Dr. Simon Newitt is Chief Executive at Off the Record. He said:
“We’re absolutely bowled over by Rob’s energy, determination and not to mention the incredibly difficult physical task he has set himself for next May!
We’re delighted that Rob has recognised the work of Off the Record and we feel excited to celebrate our 50th anniversary alongside such an inspirational supporter like Rob.
It’s vital to raise awareness and bust the stigma of mental health, and all the money Rob raises goes directly to supporting young people in Bristol who approach us for therapeutic and emotional help.
We’ll be with Rob every step of the way!”
Rob is keeping a blog at www.robseverestmarathon.com, where he details progress not only in training for the marathon, but also his journey to find sponsors, supporters and raise awareness for Off the Record along the way.
Local businesses Highcroft Veterinary Group, The Pump House, Zazu’s Kitchen and Dig Haushizzle are already on board as sponsors, and Rob plans an intensive schedule of ‘warm-up’ marathons and fundraising activities in the coming year.
You can read Rob’s story in full on his blog www.robseverestmarathon.com, including a detailed account of his journey through mental ill health – and his decision to take on Everest.
Off the Record Bristol is grateful for donations on Rob’s fundraising page: https://localgiving.com/fundraising/robseverestmarathon
Read this story on the Bristol Post!
NOTES TO EDITOR
The Tensing-Hillary marathon is the highest in the world and was first held in 2003 to commemorate the first successful ascent of Everest by Tenzing Norgay Sherpa and Edmund Hillary on 29th May 1953. It has been held annually since then. The marathon starts from the Everest Base Camp (5364m/17598 ft) and finishes at Namche Bazaar (3446m/11306 ft), the Sherpa capital town. The measured distance of the course is 42.195 km (26.2 miles) over rough mountain terrain. Although the course is basically downhill, there are two steep uphill sections. There may be snow and ice on the upper part of the course and considerable exposure along much of the marathon route.