An incredible challenge, an incredible achievement and an incredible £2,105 raised for Cerebral Palsy Midlands.
On Sunday 23 August 2026, Manesh ‘Manny’ Mistry took on the mighty Ben Nevis, the highest mountain in the UK to raise vital funds and awareness for Cerebral Palsy Midlands.
For Manny, who has right-sided cerebral palsy himself, reaching the summit was about far more than climbing a mountain. It was a personal test of strength and determination, a chance to challenge perceptions of disability and an opportunity to give something back to a cause close to his heart. And he did it!
Taking on the Ben Nevis challenge
Manny had spent around three months preparing physically and mentally for the trek, knowing that climbing Ben Nevis would push him well outside his comfort zone.
He travelled to Scotland with a group of friends to take on the challenge together. While some members of the group had previous hiking experience, for Manny this was his first challenge of this kind.
Living with right-sided cerebral palsy, which affects one side of his body, added another dimension to what was already a demanding mountain trek.
But Manny had been clear from the beginning about why he wanted to do it.
Having personal experience of living with cerebral palsy, he wanted to use the challenge to raise awareness, test his own limits and raise money to help other people with cerebral palsy and disabilities.
Grit, determination... and a team that wouldn't let him give up
The photographs from the day tell quite a story: rocky paths, steep climbs, mist, cloud and some pretty unforgiving mountain terrain! And Manny certainly isn't pretending it was easy.
Reflecting on the challenge afterwards, he told us:
“It was tough and exhausting, and there were definitely moments when I had to dig deep and rely on sheer grit and determination to keep going.”
But this challenge also became a powerful reminder of just how much the people around us can matter when we're struggling.
"Towards the end, I nearly gave up, but I had an incredible team around me who kept pushing me on and gave me the boost I needed to power through.”
And power through he did!
Reaching the summit of Ben Nevis
Standing at 1,345 metres above sea level, Ben Nevis is the UK's highest mountain and reaching the top gave Manny an enormous sense of achievement.
After months of preparation followed by a gruelling climb, he'd done what he'd set out to do. Manny said:
“Reaching the end was an incredible feeling and such a sense of achievement. It really showed me how important it is to have the right people around you when things get tough.”
We couldn't agree more. There is something particularly special about seeing Manny at the summit wearing his Cerebral Palsy Midlands T-shirt. This challenge wasn't about suggesting that everyone with cerebral palsy should be able to climb mountains. Cerebral palsy affects every person differently.
Instead, this was Manny's personal challenge, taking on something that was difficult for him, discovering what he was capable of and using that achievement to support other people in his community. And that makes us incredibly proud.
An amazing £2,105 raised for Cerebral Palsy Midlands
As if reaching the top of Ben Nevis wasn't enough, Manny's challenge has also raised an absolutely fantastic
£2,105!
The generosity shown by everyone who sponsored Manny has blown us away.
The money raised will support the work of Cerebral Palsy Midlands (CPM) in Birmingham, helping us continue providing opportunities, activities, support and community connections for adults with cerebral palsy and other disabilities.
Manny said seeing the fundraising total continue to climb gave him even more motivation:
“Knowing that people have supported us so generously gave me even more motivation to keep pushing through.”
Every £5, £10, £20 and larger donation has contributed to that brilliant £2,105 total.
Thank you, Manny and Team Trek4CP
From everyone at Cerebral Palsy Midlands, we want to say a massive THANK YOU and congratulations to Manny and everyone who took part in Trek4CP.
Thank you to the friends who walked alongside him, encouraged him when things became difficult and helped get him over that finish line. Thank you to every person who shared his challenge. And, of course, thank you to every single person who donated.
Manny set out wanting to prove that, with preparation, determination and the right support around us, sometimes we can achieve things that initially seem impossible.
We think the pictures from the top say it all. You did it, Manny.
Support Manny's Trek4CP fundraiser
Manny's fundraising page remains available for anyone who would like to support his fantastic achievement and help raise even more for Cerebral Palsy Midlands.
Inspired by Manny? You don't have to climb the UK's highest mountain to fundraise for CPM! From sponsored walks and workplace challenges to birthday fundraisers, bake sales or taking on your own personal challenge, we'd love to hear your ideas.
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