Volunteers
"Ben Nevis attracts all kinds of charity fundraisers and depends on voluntary work in order to maintain the mountain.
Various events take place throughout the year including footpath maintenance, vegetation reports and litter picks. With the vast number of visitors on the Ben, the paths erode rapidly. Conservation areas have been set up in places to try to bring those areas back to life.
Fencing has been erected at lower levels which prevents people from taking short cuts and harming the land. The Ben receives many a fundraiser with various events all in the name of raising money for charity."
Fund Raising
"The biggest attraction for fundraisers is to take part in the national 3 peaks. This involves climbing the three highest mountains in the UK, Ben Nevis, Sca Fell in the lake district and snowdon in Wales all within 24 hours.
There are teams of people who carry extra items up and down Ben Nevis or even wear fancy dress. The majority of fundraisers are raising money for the likes of cancer research, great Ormond Street hospital, children in need the list goes on..."
Andy's motivation
"I am actually currently raising money whilst on Ben Nevis by walking or climbing to the summit every day throughout October2017. I am raising money for the Lochaber Mountain Rescue Team, based in Fort William and are one of the busiest in the UK.
Many people find themselves in the need of emergency help and it's teams like this that give up their free time in order to help those in distress. Another voluntary organisation ready to drop everything at the sound of a pager to go into the mountains to do their best.
Whilst I am doing this I am trying to raise a bit of awareness regarding depression and mental health issues. As a sufferer myself and on the road to recovery I found great solitude in the great outdoors. A natural form of anti-depressant.
Depression is a silent killer and I dare say if you are reading this you may well know someone who has suffered or even maybe yourself. It's a very hard illness to detect amongst family and friends hence the awareness."