We trekked up Slieve Donard (highest mountain in Northern Ireland) on 13th October 2012 for Cardiac Risk in the Young and it was truly a remarkable day. Myself and my best friend Jonathan Goodwin set off at 7am for the hour and a half drive to the foothills of the Mournes in County Down from Belfast.

Once we arrived there, there was a sense of trepidation and apprehension at the mammoth task that lay ahead, but we were thankful at least that it was a surprisingly beautiful morning after the previous week’s downpour of rain!

Once we set off on the trek, I began to feel a real sense that Stuart was walking with us, urging us on to get to the summit. The feeling was very overwhelming and suddenly the trek, which ordinarily takes over 6 hours to reach the summit and back, was complete in just over 3 hours. Not bad for a non-gym goer!!

We talked of Stuart a lot during the walk and I firmly believe he gave us the strength and conditions for the day. As you can see from the pics, the sun followed our every move. I believe that sun was him, guiding and supporting us.

Stephen Hollywood