SeeAbility trustee and chair climb 24 peaks in 24 hours

Lawyer and SeeAbility trustee, Michael Smith, who is registered blind, and SeeAbility chair, Jack Stacy, completed a challenge to summit 24 peaks in 24 hours over 7–8 September.

At the time of writing the duo has raised more than £147,000 for SeeAbility, in celebration of the charity’s 225^th anniversary.

Smith has around 10% vision and no depth perception, having lost the majority of his sight at the age of 19 because of Leber’s optic neuropathy.

The pair, who work together at Revantage Real Estate, summited 24 mountain peaks in the Lake District over the two-day challenge, including Scafell Pike, the highest mountain in England.

Stacy provided sighted guiding and support, and the pair used a set of verbal commands, developed to communicate the terrain for Smith.

Commenting on the experience, Smith shared: “We’re over the moon that we’ve done it! It was incredibly challenging and emotional at times. Jack had the hardest job in many ways as he had to plant his feet and then tell me where to plant mine, and he had to keep that up every step of the way.”

The teammates covered at least 28 miles, ascending a total of 12,000ft. The challenge involved 12 hours of hiking a day: nine peaks on the first day, and 15 on the second.

The experience was an emotional one for Smith, who explained that when he lost the majority of his sight 13 years ago, he had to take a couple of years to “relearn everything” with the support of charities like SeeAbility. Read more about the motivation behind the challenge here.

“I chose this challenge as I knew it would be way out of my comfort zone, using so many faculties that I’ve developed since my sight loss,” he said.

I chose this challenge as I knew it would be way out of my comfort zone, using so many faculties that I’ve developed since my sight loss

Describing the moment the pair completed the final summit, Smith shared: “When we reached the last peak, I felt a real outpouring of emotions and it wasn’t just the physical aspect of it, it’s the fact that, but for Jack, I wouldn’t have been able to set foot on the first mountain, let alone the 24^th, so it means a huge amount to me.”

The pair have come close to their £150,000 goal, with sponsors including Revantage Real Estate, Thirday, Knight Frank, and Arthur Cox. The JustGiving page remains open for donations.

Stacy highlighted the “amazing support” from sponsors, friends, families, colleagues, and the general public.

“In keeping with SeeAbility’s ethos and recognising Michael’s own journey, we wanted this gruelling trek to challenge perceptions about what people with disabilities can do and with the right support, what may be possible,” he said.

We wanted this gruelling trek to challenge perceptions about what people with disabilities can do and with the right support, what may be possible

“Michael and I knew this challenge was going to be tough, but we really had no idea quite how tough until we summited our first mountain after a two-hour climb. Each peak brought fresh challenges, and we had to be extremely adaptive to changes in terrain and conditions,” Stacy said, continuing: “Michael’s drive, focus and sheer determination was incredible. I witnessed something amazing up there that I will never forget.”

Lisa Hopkins, CEO of SeeAbility, said: “It’s amazing that Michael and Jack have taken on this incredible challenge to mark SeeAbility’s 225^th anniversary.”

“We are enormously grateful to everyone who has so generously sponsored them, the money raised will enable us to continue our life-changing work supporting people with sight loss, learning disabilities and autism to live ambitious lives and thrive as part of their communities,” she added.