A KEIGHLEY optician has scaled new heights to help a mental health charity – and honour his late cousin.
Dominic Doran conquered the national Three Peaks – Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Snowdon – to raise money for, and awareness of, Andy's Man Club.
The 47-year-old was joined on the gruelling challenge by a dozen friends and family members.
Dominic was inspired to complete the mountainous feat following the death of his cousin, Matthew Doyle.
Matthew, who was also 47, took his own life in January last year.
"His loss left a huge hole in our lives that will always be there," says Dominic, an optical director at Specsavers in Keighley, where he has worked for seven years.
"Whilst we can’t change the outcome of what happened that day, we can raise awareness of Andy’s Man Club.
"It is a brilliant charity that encourages men to be open about their mental health, and plays a huge role in preventing other young men from taking their own lives.
"We want everyone in this country, in particular men, to know it is 'OK to talk'."
Dominic and the rest of the Three Peaks team began their challenge at six o'clock one morning, and finished at 11am the following day.
They had put in several months' training ahead of the event.
An initial fundraising target was smashed well before the challenge, so the goal was upped to £5,000 – but that has also been surpassed.
The total now stands at over £8,200, with an online fundraising page – at justgiving.com/page/the-doyle-family-national-3-peaks-challenge2024 – still open for donations.
Fundraising efforts were boosted by staff and customers at Specsavers Keighley, and at the branches in Bingley and Shipley, with all three stores staging events during last month.
Andy's Man Club aims to provide men with a safe space where they feel comfortable to talk about their experiences.
It has over 200 support groups nationwide.
A spokesperson says: "In these groups, men can open up about the storms affecting their lives in a judgement-free and non-clinical environment. Our clubs are designed to be free of pressure; there's no obligation for anyone to speak.
"With over 4,500 men using our sessions every week, and an army of 1,600-plus volunteers, the movement is continuing to grow. We firmly believe in the power of talking."
For more about the charity and how to get help with your mental health, visit andysmanclub.co.uk
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