Peter has a mountain to climb for Pieta

A GALWAY man is to climb the world’s highest mountain later this year in aid of Pieta House West.
Peter O’Connell, from Killererin in Tuam, now plans to embark on an expedition to climb Mount Everest in April 2013. This entire expedition is self-funded and all funds raised will go directly to Pieta House West.

Peter is an avid mountaineer and has travelled the world climbing mountains in preparation for this trip.  He recently summited Manaslu, in the Himalayas, Nepal; the eighth highest mountain in the world at 8163m.

He has been to Aconcagua in the Andes, Mont Blanc in the Alps and many other mountain ranges over the past number of years.

If Peter is successful, he will join an elite group of 33 Irish people who have reached the summit of Mount Everest to date.

On Friday, March 1 and Saturday, March 2, Peter will climb his Irish Everest, which will entail climbing Croagh Patrick 12 times, equivalent to the height of the world’s tallest mountain. 

Secondary schools all over Connacht and Donegal have been contacted to get involved in the family fun day on Saturday, March 2 and help Peter complete this challenge.

Everyone, young and old, is encouraged to come along anytime over these two days to climb Croagh Patrick and in turn help raise awareness for Pieta House West and Suicide Prevention.

Pieta House is a non-profit organisation that provides a free, specialised treatment programme for people who have suicidal thoughts or engage in self-harming.  They have centres in Lucan, Tallaght, Ballyfermot and Finglas in Dublin, as well as Limerick.

Pieta House’s vision is to provide suicide and self-harm support services within 100km of everyone in Ireland and this vision will get  closer to reality in 2013 when a new centre is opened in Tuam.

Donations can be made online at http://www.idonate.ie/fundraiser/9332_peter-o-connell-everest-for-pieta-2013.html.