A group of friends behind Summit To Share laced up their boots this September to hike 75 miles of the South West Coast Path in memory of a childhood friend and in support of Mind Over Mountains. What began as a fundraiser became a powerful week of resilience, connection, and shared purpose - testing their limits while rediscovering the beauty of their home county.
At Mind Over Mountains, we’re constantly inspired by the people who turn their passion for the outdoors into a force for good. Every step taken, every hill climbed, and every conversation shared in nature helps break down stigma and build stronger, more connected communities. This month, we’re thrilled to shine a spotlight on one such incredible group of fundraisers whose challenge on the South West Coast Path perfectly embodies the power of nature, resilience and friendship.
In September, an amazing group of men who created Summit To Share laced up their boots for a very special challenge in support of Mind Over Mountains. What began as a fundraiser has grown into something much bigger: a celebration of friendship, resilience, and the power of nature to bring people together for better mental wellbeing. Here is the story, told in their own words:
"Summit To Share was founded on a sudden realisation of how important it was to meaningfully connect with one another, and that going hiking outdoors was a great facilitator of this. Losing our childhood friend Max to suicide was the kick start of Summit to Share - and now we want to build on that legacy to create a longer-term project which builds a community around nature connection and the associated mental health benefits. Our aim with this challenge, and moving forwards, is to collaborate with people who share this ambition, hold similar interests and most importantly the knowledge and expertise on how being outdoors can improve mental wellbeing.
For this challenge we turned our attention to the southwest coast path, hiking 75 miles from Barnstaple (Pilton School) to Minehead. With over 12000ft of elevation gain this was no mean feat. But ultimately this was aa wonderful week of re-connecting and collectively digging in when it got tough. As a group we put ourselves through challenges we had never faced together and tested our mental resolve. We were well and truly exposed to the beauty and rapidly changing weather of the South West coast path, which has given us a new outlook on the area in which we all grew up.
Mind Over Mountains have supported us every step of the way, we feel very privileged to be partnering with them and that we have perhaps found a match made in heaven. Their commitment to exactly what we hope to achieve with Summit to Share fills us with hope that we can grow communities like ours and get more young people out connecting with and hiking in nature.
Our thoughts on the challenge
"This walk meant a lot to us, as it was a group of mates joining forces and skills to reignite Summit To Share. We had a 2 year break from organising any events and the time felt right to continue on the path of getting more people out hiking in nature and connecting with our mental wellness in a happy and stimulating space. The love and admiration that we were able to show each other is something we have perhaps not tapped into before, this felt truly special and it was thanks to the beautiful landscape of our home county of Devon and tackling the hills it has to offer that enabled us to experience this. A strong reminder that although our legs may now be tired, there is definitely legs in Summit To Share as an organisation."
“I feel deeply proud of my friends and very touched by the overwhelming amount of generosity & support we’ve received from so many individuals throughout the project. It’s amazing the positive impact we can have on the world when we organise and put our minds together.”
“Motivation was never an issue during the walk surrounded by such supportive people, the hardship we experienced was a tiny price to pay to help others going through tough times mentally.”
“While physically tiring I found that sharing this experience of walking, camping and sharing conversations outdoors was really rejuvenating mentally and I was left with a glow and appreciation for the people around me that will never fade away.”
“The rugged beauty of the Southwest Coast Path was truly inspiring. With the unpredictable weather came plenty of rain showers and also some of the most beautiful rainbows I’ve ever seen!”
“ I kept thinking that our temporary struggle, will help someone who feels like they’re stuck in a permanent struggle. That and being able to dot around and chat shit to each other along the way.”
“Looking back over the coastline from Countisbury Hill and seeing how far we’ve come, we overcame a huge challenge and raised a lot of money for a great cause together. Loved every second”
Carrying the Legacy Forward
What started as a fundraiser challenge has reawakened a movement. The Southwest Coast Path trek didn’t just raise vital funds for Mind Over Mountains - it showed the incredible potential of Summit To Share to build something lasting.
By channelling their loss into hope, the team has created a community where friendship, outdoor adventure, and open conversations about mental health all have space to grow. Together with Mind Over Mountains, Summit To Share is set on a path to inspire more young people, more conversations, and more connection through the simple yet powerful act of walking side by side.
You can read more and follow the story on Instagram here https://www.instagram.com/summit_to_share/ – and watch this space for what’s next.
Our immense thanks go out to each member of the Summit to Share team for their incredible determination and hard work, and the fantastic amount of money they have raised to help others. The funds raised will support bursary places on Mind Over Mountains Dartmoor events – and will change lives for the better. Mind Over Mountains would also like to thank Sam and all the team for the work they are doing to open up conversations about mental health in their community; and for the results they are already seeing.
Stories like Summit To Share remind us why we do what we do at Mind Over Mountains: creating spaces where people can pause, reset and find strength in the outdoors. We’re so grateful for their commitment and can’t wait to see how their journey unfolds, and we hope it inspires others to take on their own adventures for mental fitness too. If you’d like to join our growing community of fundraisers, or simply discover the benefits of walking and talking in nature, you’ll find plenty of opportunities with us throughout the year.
