STAFF, volunteers and service users from Pathways Warrington have kickstarted a year-long fundraiser in a bid to give back to the community.

Led by Andy McMahon, a regional service user representative from Pathways, the team will be completing a number of challenges to raise money for Warrington-based mental health charity, Papyrus.

It is hoped that the 12-month initiative will not only raise vital funds, but will positively launch Pathways users, many of whom access drug and alcohol services, back into society.

The scheme has become known as GOChallenge.

"Back in March we had the idea of taking a group of service users into the hills with the limited intention of going for a walk," said 38-year-old Andy, from Appleton.

"As a result of this one day in the Lake District, GOChallenge was spawned.

"The effect of climbing Loughwrigg had on service users was totally unexpected, the drive, determination and motivation this developed in service users was completely mind blowing.

"We very quickly realised we needed a full programme of events aimed at all service users across the spectrum. We have been on local walks, including Delamere and Formby, and in May we spent two days on Snowdon with 22 service users and volunteers summiting.

"The effect of this was a huge rise in health eating, smoking cessation and new found self-efficacy in all that attended."

The 21-strong GOChallenge team started its 12-month fundraiser on Sunday, July 1 with the Delamere Commando Challenge – a 10km obstacle course through mud.

Andy said: "The team did amazingly well and I am proud of every one of them completing the 10km course with obstacles dotted around, all spurred with the knowledge that they were doing it in the name of Papyrus, a charity dedicated to the prevention of young person suicide.

"Watch this space for lots more news on this year-long fundraising campaign."

The group now has a number of events planned, including marathons, half marathons and 10k events.

They will also take part in an expedition to Ben Nevis, with Andy taking on the Berghaus Dragons Back, a five-day mountain race, in May 2019.

To follow the team's progress or to donate visit justgiving.com/fundraising/gochallenge