The West Highland Way Adventure – A message from Paige

Close your eyes, and imagine walking 96 miles in 6 days… This is something a group of 16-19 year olds from across Regenerate’s services have just done. They have conquered the massive West Highland Way walk, from Milngavie near Glasgow, to Fort William. Through forests, lochs, mountains, and midge swarms, this is an experience like none that they’ve ever had, and we are sure it’s one they won’t forget!

After a few training walks in Richmond park, the team set off on Sunday 3rd July. Pushing through challenges like camping in the rain, swollen feet, blisters and body aches, they all did amazingly, finishing the hike on Saturday afternoon. To top it off, on Sunday (10th), a few soldiers then even took on Ben Nevis, the UK’s highest mountain! 

As well as being an opportunity to have an adventure, build confidence and positive wellbeing through this challenge, the team also wanted to raise money for Regenerate’s services, so that others can be offered opportunities like they have had. 

Here’s what Paige, who uses Regenerate’s youth club, had to say about the trip:

 

“This trip has been so good and so refreshing. It’s been a once in a lifetime experience. 

 

A highlight of the trip for me is definitely Andy dancing to garage and bashment music, and getting so carried away he twisted his ankle! Also it was really funny that after our longest day of 19 miles, we had walked so much that when I took my shoes off my feet were literally steaming! This got the most likes on the Regenerate insta stories by the way so it’s my new claim to fame!

 

Walking up the devils staircase, which is a really steep zig zag path up and over a mountain, has been the biggest challenge in my opinion. As well as my 6 blisters that I got along the way, which Hassan had to pop for me..(Sorry to him!) I kept going though, and am really proud of myself.

 

To me, Regenerate means creating memories, and it’s a space for me to build relationships. Please carry on donating as it will mean so much to local young people.”

 

We are so proud of Paige and the team, together they have proven to themselves and us how much you can overcome and what you can achieve when you put your mind to it. They’ve built resilience, confidence and strength as well as done something amazing for their community.

This trip was made possible by Burns Price Foundation, The Roehampton Community Trust, and a private Regenerate supporter, who generously covered the expenses for the trip, which included walking shoes and

waterproof clothing for the team, as well travel and food. We’d like to say a massive thank you to them as well as to everyone who has donated. So far we’ve raised over £19k for Regenerate youth projects, this will fund a r

esidential to Wales during the Summer as well as activities at the youth club and mentoring ses

sions for the coming months.

If you can spare it, it’s not too late to donate here and create even more opportunities for young people to thrive!