Derbyshire Mountain Challenge raises over £5,000 for Ashby brain aneurysm charity
On Sunday 29th June, 20 fundraisers from Ashby and the surrounding area underwent a Hike for Hope for Hereditary Brain Aneurysm Support (HBA Support), a charity supporting people affected by brain aneurysm and families at increased risk.
The group completed the 10-mile hike to Kinder Scout, the highest point in the Peak District, in difficult weather conditions. The team faced everything from wind, rain and mist to 30-degree humid heat and baking sun.
HBA Support is an Ashby-based charity supporting individuals and their families across the UK and raising awareness for brain aneurysms, which are estimated to be present in 2 million people in the UK. While most aneurysms never cause any issues, occasionally they can rupture or burst, causing life threatening bleeds in the brain. This affects 5,000 people a year in the UK – that's 13 people per day.
Every week, 3 people die from hereditary brain aneurysms where the condition runs in the family and could have potentially been screened and treated.
The team raised hit their fundraising target of over £5,000 but are still inviting people to donate to this brilliant cause.
Brain aneurysm survivor and Mountain Leader Andy Motch led the team up Kinder Scout, said: "What a day we had! I felt incredibly proud to be involved and while the aim was to raise as much money as we could, importantly this event also brought together our community, including survivors of brain aneurysms. The Hike for Hope event was about making a statement – that together, we can take meaningful steps toward hope, awareness, and change. Every blister, every step, every laugh shared on the trail has helped us do that. It was a powerful reminder of the difference this charity makes in real lives every day."
Rebecca Middleton from Ashby, who founded HBA and is a brain aneurysm survivor herself, also took part in the event and says: "I want to thank all of our Hike for Hope heroes for showing up – not just physically, but with such great energy, positivity, and commitment. It wasn't an easy walk, and their determination was amazing to witness. We created memories that will last a lifetime and raised a great amount of money that will have a direct positive impact on our growing charity. Thank you too to everyone who donated, walked the miles and followed our journey. I'm already looking forward to our next event in 2026!"
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