Climb Your Mountain (CYM) is a charity that helps people to climb personal mountains that they face in life by improving physical and mental wellbeing.

Whether it is depression, stress, anxiety, low confidence or low self-esteem, Climb Your Mountain offers support, training, motivation and opportunities to prevent, deal with and overcome these issues.

Their approach aims to encourage people to focus on exercise and inspiring physical activities. Educational courses are also offered to individuals and teams, with self-help information provided.

The charity promotes the benefits of exercise for mental health through physical activity sessions and events across the UK as well as global challenges.

CYM helps people train for events and challenges and also supports people during the challenges to ensure an enjoyable environment where those involved feel comfortable and have the best experience possible.

Pete Carlill, who previously worked as Physical Activity Development Officer at Leicester-Shire and Rutland Sport, before joining Climb Your Mountain, provided some insight into the philosophy of the charity.

“It’s all about people setting themselves challenges that help give them focus and a sense of achievement. Having something positive to concentrate on, as well as enjoying the benefits of physical exercise, can make a difference to people’s wider health and wellbeing.

“These fantastic experiences can really make a difference to people’s lives. Whether it’s someone trying to overcome issues like depression or stress, or people wanting to improve their general health and fitness, sharing a common goal with others and being part of team can really inspire people to achieve.”

Peter will be trekking across the Great Wall of China in May and explained how funds raised during the challenges can help other people in the future.

“These challenges also give people the chance to raise money for future challengers for other people to benefit from. So, that also gives the participants extra motivation and an added sense of satisfaction during and after each challenge.”

Other challenges that CYM have lined up for 2011, include The Inca Trail (Machu Picchu) in Peru, and treks up Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania and Mount Toubbkal in Morocco.

For more information visit www.climbyourmountain.org.