RUNNING up that hill – a Rugby rock band is raising money for a suicide prevention charity by running up one of the highest mountains in the country this weekend.
Steve Stetson, Karl Selickis, Matthew Higgins and Andy Dove – collectively known as The Soul Revival – will race up Snowdon, and back down again, in aid of the Ian’s Chain charity on Sunday (July 27).
Drummer Karl says the idea began as ‘four band mates joking around’ – but quickly changed to ‘something very serious and heartfelt’.
He said: “Initially it was just an idea from Steve who asked if we fancied going for a challenging run.
“But when Ian’s Chain got behind the idea, that was the pivotal moment that we knew we had to complete it no matter what.
“Snowdon was the mountain of choice as we feel like the struggles of mental health replicate the daunting task of the run. It isn’t going to be easy and is going to be full of ups and downs.”
He told The Observer the charity was close to the band’s heart.
“We have all been affected directly by the cruel reality of mental health,” he said. “We have all suffered with mental health issues to some degree, and we have all lost friends and family members to this cruel disease. We all believe that the work Ian’s Chain provides is absolutely outstanding.”
He says the band are experiencing a mixture of emotions in advance of the daunting challenge.
“We are all very excited but naturally nervous,” he said. “I don’t think any of us are naive enough to go into this over-confident – we know it’s going to be a mammoth task, but a very rewarding one.
“Training has been really good, we’ve tried our hardest to run as much as we can while trying to lead busy lives. Most of us have young families and also have to factor in a busy gigging schedule. But running a couple of times a week while building up strength and resilience has been key for us all.”
Karl is full of praise for Ian’s Chain, which to date has saved over 200 people from taking their own lives.
“We hope that we can raise as much money as possible for such a wonderful charity,” he said. “The work they do is honestly amazing.
“We also want to get people talking about mental health, which can be a taboo subject, and be able to raise enough awareness about the struggles we can all encounter.
“It’s okay not to be okay, and there will always be someone who will listen to you and your story.”
The band have already gone £300 over their fund-raising target of £1,000, and hope to raise even more.
A spokesperson for Ian’s Chain said: “A huge thank you for your donations, we are incredibly humbled. These funds will provide training to make people suicide aware and enable them to signpost where necessary.
“This will save lives.”
Visit www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/ians-chain-1 to donate.
