Hollyoaks star and her aunt to climb Mount Snowdon to challenge learning disability stigma

BAFTA award-winning actress Emily Burnett is to take on the "challenge" to climb Mount Snowdon in Wales along with her aunt to highlight some of the “societal struggles” and stigmas about what people with a learning disability can and can’t do.

The challenge called Push To The Peak will take place on 28 August along with a group of people with a learning disability as well as a number of other Hollyoaks actors.

Ms Burnett who stars in Hollyoaks has joined forces with the learning disability charity Mencap to climb the 1,085 meters to reach the summit of Snowdon.

The idea came about after Ms Burnett's aunt Teresa who has a learning disability said she always wanted to climb the mountain, so she approached Mencap for advice and support where she is now an ambassador for the charity.

Ms Burnett said: “My aunt is turning 60 next year, and after being told as a little girl she wouldn’t live that long we decided we needed to do something major to celebrate.

“As well as becoming an ambassador for Mencap, which I’m delighted about, I’m so excited about taking on this challenge with my friends and colleagues, other people with a living disability but most importantly with my aunt.

"She’s had a profound impact on my life – I call her my sunshine - and I can’t wait to highlight some of the societal struggles but also to share the many joys, the beauty and the talent that comes with having a learning disability or having someone with a learning disability in your life.”

'I want people to achieve what I'm going to do in the summer'

There will be 30 participants taking the Llanberis track up and down the mountain and all have pledged to raise at least £1,100 each for Mencap resulting in at least £30,000 going to the charity to help people with a learning disability live a happy and healthy life. The Llanberis track is the most accessible for all abilities, although the next seven months will see participants undertake a challenging training programme.

Ms Burnett’s aunt Teresa said: “It will be good to do this walk. I’m so geared up for it now. We first talked about it last year, me and Emily. She said about Snowdon. And I said ‘We’ll do it!’ I wanted to raise money for Mencap as I have been going to a swimming club that is supported by them for the last 32 years!

"I’m not the fastest swimmer in the world but I can keep going and going. I hope my determination will help me with the Push To The Peak challenge. I know I have a lot of practice to do before we do the challenge but I’m so excited!

"I would love it if the money that we raise is used to help people with a learning disability like me... I want people to achieve what I'm going to do in the summer, to make people feel proud of them, too... for them to say, "I can do this.”

'I’m continuously blown away by what people with a learning disability can achieve'

Ms Burnett has roped in some of her friends and colleagues from the Hollyoaks and The Dumping Ground to take part in the challenge including James Sutton and Kia Pegg. Alongside these actors are also a group of people, all with a learning disability who have decided to take on the challenge and show society just what they’re capable of.

Mary O’Hagan, director of fundraising at Mencap says: “I’m continuously blown away by what people with a learning disability can achieve and I’m delighted that here at Mencap, we’re launching this hiking challenge. People with a learning disability climb metaphorical mountains every day and so to have them climbing Snowdon and raising money for Mencap at the same time is inspirational. I can’t wait to hear how they all get on.

“We want the UK to be the best place in the world for people with a learning disability to live happy and healthy lives and know that Emily Burnett wants that too. We’re thrilled to have her join the Mencap ambassador family and look forward to working with her in the run up, and beyond, the Push To The Peaks challenge. Good luck to the entire team!”

Ms Burnett added: “I think all of us have thought at some point have thought ‘Oh, this is a really big challenge. Are we going to get there?’ But then we just think about Teresa and her one- track mind and we know we can do it. She’ll get to the top no matter what.”

There are a limited number of places left to join the hike, so for anyone interested to get involved, or donate to those taking part, please find out more at https://www.mencap.org.uk/event/pushtopeak