Connaught Telegraph staff member to do hiking challenge for charity

ONE of our own staff members is undertaking a hiking challenge to raise funds for charity.

Tanya Hughes, sales consultant with The Connaught Telegraph, will be climbing four peaks in two days over the June Bank Holiday weekend (June 5/6) to raise money for Pieta House.

The mountains Tanya is set to climb are Croagh Patrick, Diamond Hill, Croaghaun and Slievemore.

“Since the start of the pandemic, there has been many changes to my life, as there has been to everyone’s,” explained Tanya.

“When we went into lockdown last March the pandemic felt extremely heavy to me. I was uncertain about my job security and my future and I felt I had lost my social circle. I was overwhelmed with feelings of loneliness and uncertainty and I was unsure of how to cope in such unfamiliar surroundings. Unfortunately, my situation is not unique. There are many many people that have had the same experience as me, and there are those who have had to deal with far worse, as well as many people still going through it.

“Now that I have come out the other side and I have learned new coping mechanisms, and how helpful it is to get out for a walk or a hike, I wanted to set a challenge to raise money for a mental health charity and Pieta house was my first choice.

Tanya added: “I usually take part in the Darkness Into Light walk but I wanted to do something more this year to acknowledge the endurance that we have all shown in order to get ourselves through these continuous lockdowns. I have always wanted to raise money for charity and now feels like the perfect time to do it. There are brighter days ahead!”

You can donate to Tanya's fundraiser at https://www.ifundraise.ie/4peaks2days