A BUILDER who 'fell in love with the Lake District' is set to complete the latest in a series of mind-boggling endurance challenges by hauling a hod of bricks up all 214 Wainwrights.

Nigel Howell, otherwise known as 'The Hodfather', is now just 41 peaks away from finishing his gruelling challenge after climbing Helvellyn on Saturday, September 21, during which he is attempting to raise money for mental health charity Mind Over Mountains.

The 52-year-old has already carried the 30-kilo hod the entire 84-mile length of Hadrian's Wall in 2019, as well as summitting Mount Kilimanjaro, the Three Peaks, and Carrauntoohill, Ireland's highest mountain, with his hefty load.

He described the his Cumbrian challenge as his biggest yet.

"When I'm driving up that M6 and I see the first sign for the Lake District, my spirits just soar - it's my second home", he said.

"I’m always in the Lake District, so I thought why not do all the Wainwrights with a hod of bricks?

"When you’re up in the mountains, you can’t beat it – the fresh air, the weather, you tend to forget about your worries."

Starting in March 2023, he has now knocked off over 170 Wainwrights, usually summitting between five and ten times each day trip, before going back to his day job.

So far, The Hodfather has raised over £4000 on his JustGiving page

Nigel shared some of his experiences in the Cumbrian fells.

He said: "People stop me all the time, asking me what the hell are you doing man, are you mental?

"Because it's such a thing to do, I tend to get a lot more attention and raise more money than if I said I was just going to climb all the Wainwrights.

"I got asked if I'm taking a barbecue, if I'm working up there, and I’ll always stop and chat.

"Some people just walk straight past, and I’m thinking if that was me, I’d want to know what that bloke's doing with a hod of bricks on his shoulder.

"Somebody thought I was mapping the route for google, thinking it was a camera."

"Everybody struggles with mental health, sometimes quietly, and I’m not an expert or a counsellor, but I just do what I can do with a hod of bricks."

Nigel plans to finish his challenge on Great Gable around April 2025.

"When I do it, I want as many people to come up there as possible, and I think it’s achievable just to do that one mountain, and the views across Wastwater and to Scafell Pike are incredible."

Support Nigel's cause, or follow his journey here.

Alex Staniforth, Mind Over Mountains founder, said: "With one in four adults now affected by mental health issues, our charity is helping by giving people professional help without the pressure and anxieties of a formal 'appointment' or meeting" 

"Mind Over Mountains runs events where you get the opportunity to explore beautiful parts of the UK while being accompanied by skilled counsellors and coaches who walk, talk and, most importantly, listen."

The charity’s CEO, Ian Sansbury, added: "The Mind Over Mountains experience goes beyond merely offering a chance to enjoy nature.

"it provides individuals with the tools and strategies needed to move forward in life and improve their ongoing mental health.

"We are so grateful to Nigel for supporting our charity with his incredible challenge, and being a part of our Project 500 campaign to raise £500,000 by next June!

"A very ambitious target we hope to reach with the support of many amazing people taking on personal challenges - to allow us to offer our support in more parts of the UK, and help so many more people.

"Not every fundraiser has to carry a hod of bricks though, I must add!

"Nigel’s challenge really is exceptional - what a feat!"