Friends thrilled with success of epic Christmas Day charity hike from Hartlepool to summit of Roseberry Topping

Brian Baines and friend Daryl Parkinson walked an epic 26 miles from Lost Souls gym at the Headland all the way to the top of Roseberry Topping on December 25 to raise money and awareness of mental health issues.

Their efforts raised an impressive £1,200 in support of Lab Gym owner Ste Cotson’s Lost Souls charity which raises funds and profile of mental health.

Brian, 50, and Daryl, 28, reached the top of Roseberry Topping at 6.30am on Christmas Day, after walking for seven hours through the night.

Brian, from Owton Manor, hopes the funds raised will go towards setting up a drop in hub for people in crisis with their mental health at the gym.

He said: “It was brilliant.

“We set off at 11.30pm on Christmas Eve and walked for seven hours, reaching the top at 6.30am on Christmas Day.

“It was a bit dodgy when we got to the top as it was dark and slippy, but it felt brilliant to do it.

“Afterwards we went home for a bacon sandwich and a beer!”

The friends will officially announce the amount at the Lab Gym in the town on Saturday, December 28, live on Facebook.

They believe Lab Gym owner Ste – who also launched the Lost Souls Asylum clothing brand to raise funds and profile of mental health – will be delighted with the funds raised.

Brian added: “We raised more than £600 on the Just Giving Page alone.”

And the charity champion doesn’t plan to stop their in showing his support for the cause.

Brian now plans to take on the 88-mile route of Hadrian’s Wall this summer for Lost Souls and will also complete the Tommy to Tommy Walk from Seaham to Hartlepool, with some funds going to the Heugh Battery Museum in the town.

Ahead of the event Brian, an outreach worker at Belle Vue Sports Community & Youth Centre, said: “Mental health is a huge issue and this charity is trying to take away the stigma around it.”