This Summer, actor, comedian, and writer Dan Skinner has set himself the mammoth challenge of climbing three mountains in just one day, to raise money for a charity very close to his heart, Harry’s Pals.
Dan, widely known for his appearances on Shooting Stars as Angelos Epithemiou, will start his mission to summit all three Yorkshire peaks on 6th July 2024. The challenge Is to summit Pen-y-ghent, Whernside and Ingleborough and be back down in time for tea, allowing just 12 hours to do it. Climbing on average 2,300 feet to the top of each peak whilst walking over 26 miles.
He is taking on this challenge as Patron of Harry’s Pals. The small charity established in 2022 provides emotional support to parents who have just received a heart-breaking diagnosis that their child has a severe illness or disability. Hayley Charlesworth, founder of Harry’s Pals, felt compelled to set up the charity having realised the complete lack of support available to parents following her son Harry’s diagnosis back in 2015. And when Dan, whose son has a rare genetic disorder, found out about the charity, it resonated with him and he wanted to do all he could to help.
Dan said “hearing the news that your child has a life limiting illness or complex medical issue is one of the hardest things a parent can go through, and currently there is precious little support for those that go through this. When we received our son Teddy’s diagnosis, we had to quickly try and adapt and come to terms with what our new lives would look like. Harry’s Pals provide the support that families need to help them through a time where everything feels so bleak and frightening. A service my family could have really benefitted from.”
Harry’s Pals is working to bridge this huge gap in support across the country, by providing free counselling and therapy sessions as well as short breaks away to help families as they grapple with the emotional, practical, and physical implications of their child’s diagnosis.
Dan is fitting in training between a hectic work and family life, as he knows the benefits of the services offered and really wants to help more parents get the support they need. He knows this trek is not going to easy but is determined to help.
Hayley Charlesworth founder of Harry’s Pals said “I am so grateful to Dan for supporting our cause, helping us to make a huge difference to families who otherwise wouldn’t have got any support. We know this is a tough challenge and are so grateful to Dan for taking part. We will be rooting for you all the way Dan!!”
To support Dan please go to www.justgiving.com/page/danrentonskinner
Whatever you can afford will make a big difference to Harry’s Pals.
To find out more about Harry’s Pals and other ways that you can support go to www.harryspals.org.
Pictured: Dan Skinner with Son Teddy
