It’s a challenge.

It is a challenge. Just like grief is a challenge. Simply getting up in the morning and thinking about the day ahead can be a real challenge to anyone who’s loved one has died. It’s ten years since our son Josh died yet for me there is still that daily challenge as I wake to feel that sharp stab of pain that reminds me that he is no longer here.

Making that loss bearable is something of a learning curve. It takes practice and there are many ups and downs – a bit like the topography of the Yorkshire Dales which is where 20 supporters of The Good Grief Project will find themselves this summer.

This is our challenge – to complete the 24 mile trek and 1585m (5200ft) of ascent of the three famous Yorkshire peaks , Pen-y-ghent, Whernside and Ingleborough, in under 12 hours. Postponed thanks to Covid from last summer, this is we hope the first of many annual challenges we will be setting ourselves.

Open to any who grieve, our purpose is twofold. The first is for the bereaved to find companionship by attempting the walk. The second is to use the event to raise funds to assist those on low incomes to attend our Active Grief Weekend retreats.

It’s no walk in the park

Twelve weeks to go and already the group is in training. We don’t take on a trek like this lightly so it’s important to put in some extra effort to make sure those legs can do the job. This is what we mean by ‘active’ grief – there’s a physicality to grief that can be quite debilitating when your emotions are at a low ebb.

Making sure we meet the challenge Josh’s brother Joe (a fitness instructor and nutrition expert) is committed to helping each member of the team …

“Alongside all the positive physical outcomes that training for an event like this, there are also huge emotional benefits that go far beyond improved self esteem”

“And when you join with others on the same journey, sharing your grief, supporting and encouraging each other and then reflecting on what you have achieved together, all this is such a boost and an invaluable way of dealing with trauma and loss.”

Can you help?

The other side of this collective effort is to raise enough money so that we can offer places on our Active Grief retreats to those who could not otherwise afford it. We all know what it means when someone donates to our chosen cause – not only does the charity benefit, we are ourselves inspired by your support.

We have three peaks to climb and 24 miles to trudge over fairly rough terrain – can you help us? Click on the link below to find out more about the challenge – maybe you know one of the team. Checkout the list on the right hand side of the page … what ever you can donate is so appreciated.

Thanks for reading

Jimmy (May 2021)