For many people, the decision to fundraise is shaped by personal experience. For Matt, a former Mind Over Mountains participant and fundraiser, it grew from a moment of deep connection - to nature, to others, and to a charity that supported him at a pivotal point in his life.

After attending a Mind Over Mountains retreat, Matt felt compelled to give something back. What followed was a fundraising journey rooted in gratitude, purpose and a belief in the power of nature-based mental health support.

The Experience That Inspired Matt to Start Fundraising

Matt’s motivation to fundraise began with his own mental health journey and the opportunity to attend a Mind Over Mountains retreat at a time when he was beginning to feel more stable.

He shared:

“I had experienced quite severe ill mental health, although I had come through the worst of it, I had a chance to attend a Mind over Mountains retreat. To this day it is one of the best weekends of my life.

The passion and care that the staff behind the charity have is second to none. I knew immediately following my retreat that I wanted to give back and help them to help others like me that were struggling."

That experience stayed with him long after the weekend ended. Fundraising became a way to ensure others could access the same care, compassion and support that had meant so much to him.

Why Supporting Mental Health in Nature Feels So Personal

From the outset of his retreat, Matt recognised that Mind Over Mountains offered something distinctive - an approach to mental wellbeing that felt both grounding and human.

As he explained:

“I knew very quickly into my retreat with MoM that what they did was special. Taking the clinical setting out of counselling and mental wellbeing, placing it in nature and having the most amazing wellbeing team, that creates a beautiful environment for healing.

You go into the retreat not knowing the others there but the atmosphere that MoM encourages means you come away with people you feel a bond and a connection with. That in turn helps you in your journey to having better mental health.”

The sense of connection - not just to nature, but to the people around him - became an important part of his own wellbeing, reinforcing why this kind of support matters.

Navigating the Challenges of Fundraising

Like many first-time fundraisers, Matt found the practical side of organising an event and explaining his motivation to others the most challenging.

He reflected:

"The hardest thing for me was getting things planned for the fundraising event, letting people know what was going on and trying to help them understand why I was doing it

I was lucky to have amazing people around me personally. However, I also had the incredible people at Mind over Mountains that could not be more helpful with it.

They supported me every step of the way and made me feel like I was part of the MoM team.”

Having support - both personally and from the charity - made a significant difference, turning something daunting into a shared effort rather than a solitary one.

What Fundraising Taught Matt About Himself

As the fundraising progressed, Matt began to realise the impact of what he was doing - not only in terms of the money raised, but in how it changed his view of himself.

He said:

“The sense of pride I had when I hit target after target. I set the target low, not knowing what sort of support I would get. I ended up raising 4x more than I initially targeted. I'm still proud to this day what I achieved and the money that I raised for an incredible cause.

It may sound cliche but I learned that I really am more capable than I believed I was. I put my mind to something and achieved way more than I could have imagined when I first set out to help.”

What started as an act of giving back became a powerful reminder of his own resilience and capacity to make a difference.

A Reassuring Message for Anyone Considering Fundraising

For those who feel hesitant about fundraising, Matt’s advice is grounded in empathy and perspective.

He shared:

“I understand that doing any kind of fundraising can feel scary because you're effectively asking people for money. Don't see it that way. See it as you're asking for them to support the cause.
Show them how passionate you are about what you're doing. Show them the good that comes from it. We support the cause so the cause can support others in their time of need.”

His experience shows that fundraising is not about pressure or expectation, but about inviting others to be part of something that genuinely helps people when they need it most.

Turning Gratitude Into Impact

Matt’s story is a reminder that fundraising often begins with a single moment of connection. By choosing to act on that feeling, he has helped ensure that Mind Over Mountains can continue supporting others through nature-based mental health care.

For anyone considering taking on a challenge of their own, his journey shows that meaningful impact often starts with simply wanting to give back.

Join a challenge and fundraise for Mind Over Mountains

If Matt’s story has sparked something in you, why not turn that feeling into action?

By taking on a fundraising challenge for Mind Over Mountains, you can help ensure that more people have access to vital mental health support in nature. Whether your challenge is big or small, every step, mile or moment raised helps create space for others to find connection, care and hope when they need it most.

Find your event here: https://mindovermountains.org.uk/pages/step-out-challenge-fundraising-events