‘They saved my life’: Northampton teacher to finally take on Everest for mental health charity

A Northampton teacher will finally be trekking to Everest Base Camp for a mental health charity after three years of delays due to Covid-19.

Hannah Auger, the assistant principal at Northampton International Academy, is raising money for Mind – a charity ‘dear to her heart’.

Hannah, who has been a teacher for the last 13 years, will take on the challenge from October 21 to November 5, and hopes to hit her fundraising target of £2,500.

She said: “It’s been a long time coming, and inside me is this calling of knowing I have to do it – to conquer and prove it to myself.

“For the adventure to finally be going ahead is a dream come true.

“It’s as if I can’t rest until it’s done.”

Hannah travelled to Nepal four years ago and says it is a ‘blessing’ to be able to return and climb to Everest Base Camp.

She has raised £724 so far and hopes to get to her target, which she also reached in 2018 when she climbed and summited Mount Kilimanjaro for Mind – describing this as the ‘long overdue next step’.

Hannah has battled with mental health challenges for over 15 years, including depression, anxiety, overcoming trauma, and PTSD, which is why Mind was an obvious choice of charity.

“The mental health charities and organisations who supported me have saved my life,” said Hannah.

“Having access to incredible counsellors and therapy has transformed my life.

“We’re slowly removing the stigma around conversations about mental health and emotions, and we’ve come a long way in 10 years.”

Hannah says it would be ‘mind blowing’ if she were to reach her fundraising goal.

She said: “I’m sure even if I turned up to Mind with a fiver, they would be so appreciative – but it would be very powerful to donate a significant amount and help them provide life-changing support.”

The assistant principal wants the mountains to symbolise ‘being able to overcome anything’, and she wants to prove anyone can.

“What better way to represent the challenge of overcoming the mountains in our minds than trekking to the largest mountain in the world,” said Hannah.

“The Covid-19 pandemic has shown us, now more than ever, the impact of isolation, fear, worry and stress on our mental wellbeing.”

Hannah is offering ‘trades’ in return for donations – from tutoring to piano lessons, to selling fresh eggs laid by her chickens.

Though no one has yet taken her up on the piano lessons, the eggs have allowed Hannah to raise £50.

She also plans to offer some zumba lessons in the near future, and the details will be shared on her Just Giving page.

Not only is Hannah raising money to allow Mind to help others, but she also received a police commendation a few months ago from Northamptonshire Police.

After helping to keep people safe on the school premises during an incident, her efforts were rewarded – and she is the only individual to have received this commendation from the local police force.

To donate to Hannah’s fundraiser, click here.