Climbing for Hector: Friends Take On Three Peaks

On Saturday 5 July, four local friends – Sam, Duncan, and Lloyd – will take on the National Three Peaks Challenge, climbing Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike, and Snowdon within just 24 hours. But this isn’t just an endurance event – it’s a deeply personal mission, in memory of their childhood friend Hector Stringer, who tragically took his own life at just 18.

Hector was at the heart of their early lives. His death came as a devastating shock and left a lasting impact on all who knew him. In the wake of that loss, his family founded Hector’s House, a suicide prevention charity working to make sure others know they are not alone, and that support is out there.

‘Hector was one of my oldest friends,’ says Sam Reed, who’s been involved with the charity from the beginning. ‘His death shook us all. This challenge is about honouring him, but it’s also about doing something positive – helping others, raising awareness, and supporting a cause we really believe in.’

The team’s goal is to raise £1,500, and they’ve already passed the £1,200 mark. But for them, this challenge isn’t just about fundraising – it’s about starting conversations, offering hope, and encouraging people to talk more openly about their mental health.

‘This is massively personal for all of us,’ Sam says. ‘Fourteen years on, the work Hector’s House does is truly inspiring. They’re out there in schools, in communities, and online, making sure people know they matter, and giving them the tools to get help.’

The importance of their mission is clear: suicide is the leading cause of death for men under 50 in the UK – and men account for around 74% of all suicides.* Far too often, those who are struggling don’t feel able to reach out or ask for help.

Hector’s House offers education programmes, digital support resources, and local outreach across Herts, Bucks, and Beds. One of their most impactful projects is the Hector’s House Gentleman’s Club – a monthly peer support group for men that combines social connection with honest conversations about mental wellbeing.

‘We do an activity and socialise, but we also sit down and talk about our mental health, what’s really going on, and how we can improve things,’ says Sam. ‘It’s a space where we can be real with each other. That kind of space just didn’t exist when we lost Hector.’

For Lloyd, the challenge is a way to carry that message further: ‘We believe suicide can be prevented,’ he says. ‘If more people realise that it’s okay to struggle, that things can get better, and that support is out there, we can save lives. This is for Hector, and for everyone who needs to hear that.’

To support the team’s journey, visit their JustGiving page: justgiving.com/page/hectors-house3peaks.

Learn more at hectorshouse.org.uk or follow @HectorsHouseUK on social media.

*Around 74% of all suicides in the UK are male. This figure comes from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) and Samaritans, who consistently report that men account for approximately three-quarters of all suicide deaths.