On the 9th of August the two of us (Shane Meskell and Colm Kennedy) will begin our attempt to summit Europe's tallest mountain, Mount Elbrus, in aid of youth mental health services in Ireland. We have used this opportunity to support two charities which are very close to our hearts, and that we know already make amazing contributions to supporting children and young people experiencing difficult times. 

Our first chosen charity is Rainbows, a programme that supports children and young people affected by loss as a result of bereavement, separation or divorce. Every year, many children and young people experience grief following a significant loss in their life. Rainbows provides a platform to not only recognise that grief, but to provide the support and understanding to those in need.

Our second charity is Jigsaw. Jigsaw is the National Centre for Youth Mental Health and provides early intervention, education and community services that are specifically targeted at supporting 12-25 year olds experiencing mental health issues. The charity is actively trying to change the way Irish society thinks about and responds to young people's mental health - and is starting to break the stigma which has surrounded the topic until recent years.

While the decision to trade a relaxing beach holiday in Spain for a snowy mountain trek in Russia was made entirely out of our own devices - we hope that we can use the challenge as an opportunity to raise money for these very worthy causes. All money raised will go directly to the two charities, and will go a long way towards supporting the work that they do. Any donations of any size will be hugely appreciated by us, and will no doubt help us to get through the challenge.

Thanks so much,

Colm and Meskell