Alex Staniforth in training on Fleetwith Pike in the Lake District

Mental-health champion and adventurer Alex Staniforth will celebrate turning 30 by embarking on a mammoth quest to summit all of England and Wales’s mountains.

The Kendal-based charity founder plans to attempt a complete a continuous round of the 446 peaks classed as ‘nuttalls’ – 2,000ft mountains with a prominence of at least 15m.

He will run or cycle between the ascents, involving more than 2,900km distance with a total ascent of 86,000m – the equivalent of climbing Mount Everest almost ten times. He plans to travel entirely by foot and bike, supported by a motorhome crew but without vehicle assistance between peaks. Each night, he will sleep in the motorhome before continuing on with his challenge.

His goal is to raise at least £100,000 for Mind Over Mountains, a charity he co-founded in 2020, which delivers professionally supported outdoor walking experiences to restore and sustain mental wellbeing.

The challenge will also mark the tenth anniversary of his surviving the earthquake that hit Nepal while he was at Everest base camp, during which three of his Sherpa teammates were killed.

He said: “I want to show that no mountain is insurmountable.

“Too many young people, especially young men, struggle to find their way and may never reach life’s milestones. This challenge is my way of creating hope, breaking down stigma, and showing what we can achieve when we keep moving forward.”

Among his challenges in life have been dealing with epilepsy, bullying, a stammer, anxiety, depression and an eating disorder throughout his childhood in Chester.

He hopes to use the funds to allow the charity to expand into Scotland by 2026 and enable 1,000 people to attend guided walks and retreats, combining mountain walking, mindfulness, and one-to-one coaching and counselling.

Staniforth is undertaking intensive training for the challenge, including running across the fells weekly, alongside cycling and strength conditioning. Recent milestones include finishing second in the Grizedale Marathon.

Alex Staniforth is also a motivational speaker. Photo: Bob Smith Photography

Corporate sponsors already secured to support the challenge include Jordan’s Motor Group, Swyft Home, Inov-8, Ellis Brigham, VOOM Nutrition, and COROS. More sponsors are being sought to support the challenge and help raise vital funds for the Mind Over Mountains Charity.

Businesses and organisations can sponsor the challenge as a major partner or sponsor one of the 446 peaks for £500.

Jessica Thorp of Jordan’s Leisure said: “Mental health impacts so many people in their lives, and at Jordans Leisure, we are proud to support the 446 Challenge.

“We’re thrilled to be part of such an important cause and can’t wait to see him take on this incredible challenge.”

The adventurer is due to start his challenge on 16 May, beginning in Dartmoor before continuing on to Wales, the Peak District, Yorkshire Dales, Pennines, and Northumberland, finishing in the Lake District. His goal is to complete the round in 50 days. In 2017 adventurer James Forrest climbed all 446 summits in a record time of six months,  but Staniforth nobody said no-one has attempted to summit all 446 nuttalls in a continuous, human-powered push.

Individuals can get involved by donating, following the journey online, or joining him at selected points along the route. A free app and live tracking map will also allow supporters to follow Alex’s progress as he travels across the country.

More details, including a link to Alex Staniforth’s justgiving page, are on his 446 Challenge website.