Climbing Mont Blanc to raise funds for Hearts and Minds

On the 17th June Ennevor Yap, Chris Bury, Martin Bury, Mathew Connery and James Connery climbed Mont Blanc "the roof of Europe" to raise funds for the Hearts And Minds Challenge.  All funds raised will go towards the £1 million that Hearts And Minds are trying to raise so they can open an Education Centre of Excellence for Autism in Manchester.

Mont Blanc at 4810m is the highest summit in Western Europe.  It was a huge challenge as they are not experienced climbers and had to undergo intensive training where they were taught everything from knots and ropework, to crevasse rescue hoist systems, to avalanche prediction and the use of crampons.  Mont Blanc is nearly a kilometer lower than the likes of Kilimanjaro, but it is leagues harder, often colder, all on snow and each year 300 people die trying to reach the summit.

If you want to make a donation in support of their amazing achievement please click on the link below:

http://www.charitygiving.co.uk/montblanc

More about the Hearts and Minds charity here:

Website: http://www.heartsandmindsphones.co.uk/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/HeartsAndMindsUK
Twitter: @handmchallenge

Keith Duffy promotes Hearts and Minds on Loose Women

Registrations for the Hearts and Minds mobile phone recycling campaign are expected to top 500 by the Friday - just one month since the TV launch!  The campaign got a huge boost this week thanks to celebrity supporter Keith Duffy, who appeared on ITV's Loose Women on Tuesday.  During his interview he talked about his support for Hearts and Minds, and how the charity helps children with autism like his own daughter. 

Here's the interview in case you missed it.. (available to UK viewers only)

http://www.itv.com/loosewomen/celebrity-guests/keith-duffy-boyzone-20th-anniversary-interview/

Check these links for how to exchange old phones for new iPads, and help children with autism.

Website: http://www.heartsandmindsphones.co.uk/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/HeartsAndMindsUK
Twitter: @handmchallenge

The Big Red Bike Ride raising funds for autism: on the road to Galway

Bringing the sunshine with them, the volunteers and celebrities taking part in the charity BIG RED BIKE RIDE are on the road to Galway tonight on Day 3 of an eight day 592  mile cycling marathon across Ireland.

Starting in Kerry on Saturday, the team cycled through Killarney National Park before catching the ferry to Co Clare and heading along one of the best coastal cycling routes in the world to finish in Galway this evening.

The team of volunteer cyclists has been joined by a number of Manchester United Legends and celebrities, including Keith Duffy from Boyzone.

All the funds raised during this event will be used to make a difference to the lives of children with autism in the UK & Ireland, through Hearts and Minds and Irish Autism Action.

If you see the cyclists please cheer them on, and if you want to sponsor the team, you can donate here.

Website: http://www.heartsandmindsphones.co.uk/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/HeartsAndMindsUK
Twitter: @handmchallenge

The TV launch of Hearts and Minds

It's hard to believe that it's only a week since celebrity supporters Keith Duffy and Melanie Sykes were sitting on the sofa in the Daybreak studio to officially launch the Hearts and Minds mobile phone recycling scheme in the UK.

Since then 388 families have registered to start collecting old phones to exchange for iPads, and they are helping Hearts and Minds to raise much-needed funds to assist families touched by autism.

Children with autism and other special needs really benefit from using iPads, for entertainment and education, as well as communication, fine motor skills and joint engagement.

This scheme is open to all families in the UK, not just those touched by special needs.  So please help to spread the word by telling everyone you know. 

Click on Daybreak Interview to see the interview with Keith and Melanie: They are live from 1hour 46 minutes and you'll need to be in the UK to see it.

Website: http://www.heartsandmindsphones.co.uk/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/HeartsAndMindsUK
Twitter: @handmchallenge