I took on a 128km hike to raise funds for a South Shields domestic abuse charity

Leanne Hansen took on the Skye Trail earlier this month in an effort to raise £500 for SURT (Stopping Unsafe Relationships Together) - a South Tyneside charity that works with children and young people who have been affected by relationship abuse.

The 128km trail is a challenging long distance route through the mountainous and coastal landscapes of the Isle of Skye, off Scotland’s North West coast.

Leanne, who is a managing director at SURT, took on the challenge with Presley, the SURT ‘super dog’ and she hopes that it will help inspire young people to go out and achieve their goals.

She said: “I do an annual fundraiser for SURT each year, mostly long distant hiking.

“I’ve only been into hiking for the past five years, it’s something I never thought I’d enjoy, but I do.

“Getting outdoors is great for physical and mental wellbeing and when you reach your destination after the challenges of weather, landscapes and various animals, it’s extremely rewarding.

“We trekked in unforgiving winds, hailstone and persistent torrential rain, as well as struggling to sleep during heavy snow before then trudging through it whilst climbing the highest mountain on the trail.

“It was brutal and almost came to a premature end but with patience, care and determination, we managed to reach the end.

“In doing this, I want to show young people that if you push yourself to overcome life’s barriers, then it can be achieved and that when you do accomplish your goals it feels great.”

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At the time of writing, Leanne has managed to raise £767 and she has given an insight into how the funds will be used by SURT.

She added: “The funds raised will go towards delivering one-to-one or group based educational activities to children and young people.

“We will also use funds to facilitate access to activities that support building confidence, self-esteem and engagement with learning.

“Our aim is for these activities to help grow individual self-esteem and that they will help children to connect and develop the independent and social skills need to improve their life chances.

“The act of investment in children and young people makes them feel valued and cared about, as a community we need to get better at achieving this.

“Specifically supporting those children who haven’t had the best start in life or where a lack of finances, support or mental health issues are barriers to their success.”

You can view and donate to Leanne’s fundraiser by visiting: https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/leanne-hansen-422.

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