Also taking on the steep ascent were celebrity friends and family, raising an incredible £12,192 for learning disability charities Mencap and Sunday Circle.
The ‘Push to the Peak’ team of nineteen people took seven hours to make the 1,085m ascent to reach the Snowdon summit in the Snowdonia National Park in Wales, which is home to some of the most challenging and rugged peaks in Britain. Setting off from the Llanberis path at 7am, they were led by Teresa Pope, 58, whose lifelong dream has been to climb the mountain ahead of her 60th birthday next year and show what people with a learning disability can achieve.
The line-up of celebrities taking part in the challenge included Emily’s Hollyoaks co-stars, James Sutton (John-Paul McQueen), Eva O’Hara (Verity Hutchinson), Gabriel Clark (Ollie Morgan) and Connor Calland (Jordan Price) and actors Mia McKenna-Bruce (from Netflix’s Persuasion), Tom Leach and TikTok star Monica Geldart. The group jumped at the chance to take part in the trek - keen to challenge stereotypes and misconceptions about learning disability and raise money for charity.
Nick Green, Teresa’s personal trainer from their local gym, David Lloyd Cardiff, also took part, having trained Teresa for four months in preparation for the trek by creating an accessible fitness programme.
All sponsorship proceeds from the Push to the Peak challenge will be split between Sunday Circle, a local learning disability organisation based in Wales, and Mencap, who support the 1.5 million people living with a learning disability in the UK.
Mencap ambassador Emily Burnett said:
This has been one of the most challenging, rewarding, emotional and life affirming things I have ever done. Watching Teresa achieve one of her dreams is beyond special. It was incredible to stand with her at the summit with our friends and family and a moment I will treasure forever. I’m so proud of Teresa, she’s inspired me every day of my life and now she’s showing what people with a learning disability can achieve. Thanks to everyone who has supported us and donated to Mencap and Sunday Circle. We want everyone with a learning disability to feel valued equally, to be included and to have opportunities… and to be able to climb their own mountains, physically and metaphorically.”
Teresa Pope said: “I’m so happy to have achieved my dream of climbing Snowdon with my beloved niece, family and friends. I’m feeling on top of the world. Thanks to everyone that’s supported me and donated to Mencap and Sunday Circle and to Nick, my trainer, for helping me get fit enough to take on Snowdon and win.”
Hollyoaks actor James Sutton said: “I have a family member with a learning disability and it meant a lot for me personally to take part in the Push to the Peak challenge. I’m so happy I was there to see Teresa achieve her dream of climbing Snowdon and to have been part of this incredible experience.”
Actor Mia McKenna-Bruce said: “Reaching the summit was such a special moment and one I will remember forever. The landscape is spectacular and so was Teresa and her determination to reach the peak. We’re thrilled to have been part of this and to help raise money for such a fantastic cause.”
Mary O’Hagan, Director of Fundraising at Mencap said: “Thank you to Emily, Teresa and the amazing ‘Push to the Peak’ trekkers for taking on this challenge in aid of Mencap and Sunday Circle. The vital funds raised at this event will help even more people with a learning disability to achieve their dreams and lead happy, healthy lives. We’re honoured that Emily is using her profile and role as a Mencap ambassador to make people with a learning disability more visible and transform attitudes in society. We’re also extremely grateful to the team at David Lloyd Clubs for their invaluable support. Everyone involved should be incredibly proud of their achievements.”
Maggie Harries, founder of Sunday Circle said: “Enormous congratulations to Teresa, Emily and everyone who took part in ‘Push to the Peak’. We are immensely proud of you all. Teresa and her family have been a huge part of Sunday Circle for many years and we are thrilled she is helping to raise money for us. Sunday Circle provides a fantastic, safe space for a large number of people with learning disabilities within Cardiff. Sunday Circle would not be as great as it is without our members and families. One of our member’s mums, Sarah and her dog Mira, joined in the hike which shows the important role that Sunday Circle plays in our members lives.”
Sarah Murray, mother of Callum Murray said: “Callum has attended Sunday Circle for several years and the benefit to him is immeasurable. The hard work of Maggie, the youth workers and the volunteers means I know Callum is supported and most importantly allowed to express himself whilst at the club. The members have a wonderful time and the trips and holidays they go on are the icing on the cake. We loved joining Teresa and everyone on the hike and I think Mira will sleep for a week!”
To donate to Emily and Teresa’s Push to the Peak challenge, please visit: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/emilyandteresa
For news on Push to the Peak, please visit: https://www.mencap.org.uk/event/pushtopeak