FIVE adults from our Number 14 residential care home, together with staff, climbed their first mountain to raise money for the North East Autism Society.

The group were cheered on by other walkers as they scaled Catbells in the Lake District, raising £950 so far for the Society.

And they received a public round of applause when they reached the 451-metre summit. “One of the parents was nearly in tears when we rang from the top to say we’d done it,” says Number 14 Registered Manager, Joanne Keers.

“On the way up, members of the public cheered us on, telling us we were doing well. When we reached the top, people clapped.”

Seven members of staff took part in the climb, six from Number 14 and one from Residential Activity Support. 

Only one member of staff had climbed Catbells before, so the group practised in advance with long walks at weekends. They got new walking boots and packed lots of snacks to keep them going on the climb.

Despite the rain and high temperatures, they had no problems on the three-and-a-half-hour walk. “We were holding hands to help each other up the difficult bits, encouraging each on,” Joanne adds. “Everyone did really well and it was an amazing day.”

Click here for the Number 14 JustGiving page