A SOUTHAMPTON youngster is preparing to take on the UK’s highest mountain this summer to raise funds and awareness for the charity Communicare (July 2026).
Wordsworth Primary School pupil Erin McGill, plans to climb Ben Nevis this weekend (July 26-27), depending on the weather, alongside mum, Helen, in support of the charity’s work helping people across the city.
The 11-year-old says: “Climbing Ben Nevis is a really big thing for me to do, but I wanted to do something special for Communicare. I know they help lots of people in Southampton and I’d love to raise as much money as I can for them. I hope lots of people support my climb by sponsoring me via my JustGiving page.”
The fundraising challenge will see Erin tackle the 1,345-metre peak in Scotland and she hopes her efforts will not only raise vital funds but also encourage greater awareness of the support Communicare provides to people of all ages in Southampton.
Mum Helen will be joining Erin for the climb and says she has been inspired by her daughter’s determination.
She explains: “I couldn’t be prouder of Erin. Choosing to climb Ben Nevis to raise money for Communicare is such a wonderful thing to do. She understands how much support charities like Communicare provide to individuals and families in our community and she wanted to give something back.
“I will be doing the climb with Erin and together we’re looking forward to taking on this challenge for such a worthwhile cause. We hope as many people as possible sponsor her and help us raise vital funds so that Communicare can continue supporting local people and families who rely on its services. We have experience in our family of using charities like this, so Erin wanted to give something back.”
Communicare helps people across Southampton through a range of assistance designed to reduce loneliness, promote wellbeing and provide practical support to those that need it.
Annie Clewlow, Manager at Communicare, says: “We are incredibly grateful to Erin for taking on such an enormous challenge for Communicare, especially at just 11-years-old. Tackling Ben Nevis for us is tremendous and demonstrates remarkable courage, determination and kindness.
“Every pound that Erin raises will help us continue supporting Southampton residents who may be experiencing isolation and who need their social connectedness boosting, so they don’t just exist but can lead their best lives. We would like to thank Erin and her family for their fantastic fundraising endeavour and wish them every success on the day.
“We also hope the Southampton community get behind Erin, sponsor her challenge and help her raise as much as possible for us, as every penny really counts in the current economic climate.”
Communicare’s services are staffed by its volunteers, known as Communiteers, who give their time freely.
The charity is currently supporting around 750 individuals/families through tasks including, befriending, transport for appointments and assistance with shopping and always needs more donations and volunteers to help with its work.
The services it provides are free to users, although beneficiaries are invited to make a donation if they can, and Communiteers are offered expenses.
Annie adds: “Support from fundraising like this is essential in helping us continue boosting vital, often lifesaving, social connectedness and beating isolation in Southampton.
“There’s growing UK and international research showing how seriously loneliness harms physical and mental health. It’s even been linked to significantly higher risks of early mortality, heart disease, stroke and more, and it impacts on all age groups in society, so Erin’s fundraising and awareness efforts are really important to us and for our work in the city.”
Anyone wishing to sponsor Erin can do so via her JustGiving page: www.justgiving.com/page/erin-mcgill-bn?utm_medium=FR&utm_source=CL
For more information about Communicare, volunteering or fundraising opportunities, please visit www.communicareinsouthampton.org.uk.
