Alex Easton MP is preparing for the challenge of a lifetime as he embarks on a climb up Mount Kilimanjaro in August, raising vital funds for two essential local charities: **Bangor Food Bank & Community Support and uHub – Mental Health Charity. To support this fundraising effort, he will be hosting a Charity Fundraising Dinner, bringing the community together for a fantastic evening in aid of two causes that change lives across North Down.
Venue: Clandeboye Lodge Hotel
Date: Saturday, 7th June 2025
⏰ Time: 7pm for 7.30pm start
Guests will enjoy an incredible evening of entertainment, featuring:
Live Music by The Seasiders – bringing great energy and fantastic music.
Comedy from Noel McClarnon – sure to have everyone in stitches.
️ Compère: Colin Barkley – ensuring a lively and engaging atmosphere.
The night will also include a Luxury Auction and Ballot of Fantastic Prizes, giving guests the opportunity to bid on exclusive items while contributing to two life-changing charities.
Tables of 10 are available for £1,000, with every penny raised going directly to support the vital work of Bangor Food Bank & Community Support and uHub – Mental Health Charity.
Alex Easton MP on Taking on Kilimanjaro for Charity
Speaking about his upcoming challenge, Alex Easton MP said:
“I have always pushed myself beyond my limits, taking on extreme challenges such as abseiling Victoria Falls and paragliding off Table Mountain. Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, at 5,895m (19,341ft), will be my greatest and final extreme challenge. This is a lifelong ambition, and I have reached a point where if I don’t do it now, I never will. However, I didn’t want this to be just a personal achievement—I wanted to make it truly meaningful by raising as much money as possible for two charities that make a real difference in people’s lives.”
Supporting Mental Health Through uHub
“Mental health is an issue that is deeply personal to me. Having faced anxiety, deep depression, and PTSD, I know how isolating and overwhelming those struggles can be. I also understand just how vital the right support is. That is why I am fundraising for uHub – Mental Health Charity, a service that provides crucial mental health support across North Down and East Belfast.”
“uHub was founded by Pamela Kirkpatrick and Cara Swanston, two highly experienced and fully accredited counsellors who recognised the need for a client-centred approach to emotional well-being. Their mission is to ensure that everyone, from young children to adults, can access high-quality counselling and therapy tailored to their needs. They deliver 700-800 counselling sessions every month* and receive over 100 new referrals each month, a clear indication of the growing mental health crisis in our community. Crucially, they ensure that cost is never a barrier to receiving help, providing funded sessions through statutory providers and voluntary organisations alongside self-funded options at varying rates.”
“Their innovative, multi-disciplinary approach includes talking therapies, cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), play therapy, art therapy, and group workshops. They specialise in helping those suffering from anxiety, depression, PTSD, trauma, bereavement, ASD, ADHD, and other mental health issues. Their work is life-changing, and it is an honour to support them.”
Supporting Bangor Food Bank & Community Support
“Alongside mental health, I am also committed to tackling food poverty, which continues to be a growing crisis. Bangor Food Bank & Community Support is a vital service that ensures individuals and families do not go hungry. The cost-of-living crisis has led to an increased demand for their support, and they not only provide emergency food parcels but also practical assistance, financial advice, and community support to help people rebuild their lives.”
“I have met many people who have been helped by Bangor Food Bank, and their stories are truly heartbreaking. One local mother had been working two jobs to provide for her two young children when an unexpected illness meant she could no longer work. With no savings and rising costs, she quickly found herself unable to afford food. Desperate, she turned to Bangor Food Bank for help. They provided her with emergency food parcels, financial advice, and emotional support, helping her get through an incredibly difficult period. Thanks to their support, she is now back on her feet, working again, and giving back by volunteering at the food bank herself. But her story is just one of many—demand for their services is increasing every day, and they need our help more than ever.”
The Challenge of Climbing Kilimanjaro
“Mount Kilimanjaro is one of the world’s most demanding free-standing mountains. The physical challenge is immense, with climbers facing oxygen deprivation, exhaustion, and extreme temperatures. Reaching nearly 6,000 metres (over 19,000 feet), altitude sickness is a real danger, and the climb requires months of intensive training. I have been preparing for several months, building my endurance and strength to take on this challenge safely. However, the physical difficulty only strengthens my determination to succeed—not just for myself, but for the people across North Down who rely on these vital services.”
“My goal is to raise as much money as possible to support uHub and Bangor Food Bank, ensuring that they can continue their incredible work in our community. I am calling on the public, local businesses, and community organisations to get behind this cause and help make a real difference.”
To book a table for the Charity Fundraising Dinner or to donate to the Kilimanjaro fundraising effort, please get in touch.
Together, we can transform lives. Your support will make a real and lasting impact!
Best regards,
Alex Easton MP
Member of Parliament for North Down
