I'll be dry-raving with the mayor before taking on Kilimanjaro for people battling with addition in Blackpool
“There is a really strong sense of unity right across the Fylde through recovery meetings”
A dry rave to raise money for people battling addiction in Blackpool is gaining momentum.
Clare Sollitt has organsed the drug and alcohol free event as part of her fundraising mission that involves an epic climb to the summit of Afrifca’s tallest peakm Kilimanjaro.
And the Mayor of Blackpool Cllr Kim Critchley will be there too, dry-raving as well as making a speech about the fantastic efforts being made in Blackpool to support the recovery community.
The dry rave takes place on June 13 ahead of Clare’s climb in membory of her beloved dad John Sollitt who died after his own battle with addition.
It’s called Move any Mountain Dry Rave and will take place at St Thomas’s Church, 136 Caunce Street from 5pm to 9pm.
Clare said: “There is a really strong sense of unity right across the Fylde through recovery meetings, Jobs, Friends and Houses (JFH) and services such as Horizon in Blackpool.
“They don’t just help people struggling with addiction to begin recovery, but also ensure that when people take the brave step to recover, they are supported by JFH and a growing number of recovery meetings to help them stay clean and sober.
“It’s wonderful that the mayor will be attending.
“The aim of this Dry Rave is to bring people in recovery together, to show that there is life after addiction and to show those in early recovery that they can still have fun and fellowship beyond addiction if they choose to embrace it.
“We are really hoping the event helps break down stigma, raises awareness, and shows the community just how much positive work is happening locally.”
Clare has set a £5,000 target for her epic quest.
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“Over the past year, I've been building towards this moment, summiting the highest peaks in Wales, Scotland, Japan and North Africa.
“But standing 5,895 metres, taking around six days to climb, Kilimanjaro will be by far the biggest challenge of them all - physically, mentally and spiritually.”
Clare will set off to climb Kilimanjaro on June 21, a climb she says has been a lifetime in the making.
“Every step I take up Kilimanjaro will be for this cause - for my dad, for those fighting to overcome the devastating disease of addiction and for the belief that no summit is too high when we climb for a purpose.”
Tickets for the dry rave are £5 on the door, alcohol-free drinks available, with chilli, chips and dips sold on the day
It’s open to everyone, provided they respect the drug and alcohol-free policy. The aim is to show that recovery can be positive, social and empowering, while raising vital funds for JFH.