TWO friends are taking on the National Three Peaks challenge to celebrate a 30th birthday and raise funds for the Samaritans.

Travis Booth-Millard of Bishop’s Waltham and his pal Seb will scale Scaffel Pike, Snowdon and Ben Nevis on October 2.

The pair chose the Samaritans because Travis has suffered with mental anxiety around the time of his birthday, and he wanted to turn that anxiety around and do something challenging and something that would help others who suffer with their mental health.

He said: “Everyone at some point in their lives is very likely to suffer trauma or have to deal with something that leads to a decline in their mental health. That’s why I think it is so important that we keep supporting charities like Samaritans, as ultimately, we could be indirectly helping friends and family! I wanted to use a time of year that I struggle with mentally to help others who are struggling themselves and encourage people to reach out for help if they need it.”

People very close to Travis have gone to Samaritans in times of need and their accounts prove just how helpful the organisation can be when someone is suffering.

A friend of Travis’ brother recently took his own life, which came completely out of the blue, and the pair says it highlights how important it is that charities like Samaritans keep receiving support for what they do.

Travis and Seb have done many long hikes together and have visited Brecon Beacons and Snowdonia many times to hike and scramble up the mountains.

For this event they will be getting in as many hikes, runs and trips to the gym as possible to physically prepare themselves. They have wanted to partake in this challenge for years and they are sure that they’ll have a massive sense of pride and achievement once they’ve conquered the three mountains, especially if they complete the three peaks in less than 24 hours.

To sponsor Travis and Seb and help them fundraise for the Samaritans, go to www.justgiving.com/fundraising/threepeaks30th.