Mourne Seven Sevens Challenge Walk

Can you believe it's been 4 weeks since The Original Mourne Seven Sevens Challenge Walk 2026.

And we are delighted to share the story of 3 of our epic participants - raising funds and awareness for their chosen charity HHT Ireland

❤️ 7 PEAKS. 3 LADS. 3 MISSIONS. ONE VERY IMPORTANT CAUSE. ❤️

On Saturday 8th August, Dean, Simon and Kris took on our Mournes 7x7 Challenge with three clear missions in mind,

1️⃣ Complete their personal challenge
2️⃣ Raise awareness for HHT Ireland
3️⃣ Raise funds to help support the charity and the families living with HHT

You may have spotted them out on the peaks because, let’s be honest, they definitely stood out from the crowd in their bright red HHT Ireland T-shirts and hats!

But behind those red shirts was a much bigger reason for them being there.

So, what exactly is HHT?

Hereditary Haemorrhagic Telangiectasia, or HHT, is a rare genetic blood-vessel disorder. In simple terms, some of the blood vessels in the body don’t form normally and can become fragile, causing them to bleed.
For many people, one of the first signs is unexplained, recurrent nosebleeds.

But HHT can affect much more than the nose. Abnormal blood vessels can develop in the stomach and bowel, lungs, liver and brain and can sometimes cause serious complications, including stroke.

HHT affects around 1 in 5,000 people, yet approximately 90% of those affected remain undiagnosed.
That means there are families out there who may have been living with unexplained nosebleeds, anaemia, unexplained bleeding or other bleeding complications for years without knowing there could be a genetic condition behind them.

HHT is hereditary, meaning if a parent has HHT, there is a 50% chance of passing the condition on to each child.

There is currently no cure for HHT, but there are treatments and ways of managing the condition, including treating abnormal blood vessels and managing the iron-deficiency anaemia caused by blood loss.

Here at HHT Ireland we are incredibly proud that Dean, Simon and Kris chose our challenge as a way of shining a light on us 🩸

Can you believe it's been 4 weeks since The Original Mourne Seven Sevens Challenge Walk 2026.

And we are delighted to share the story of 3 of our epic participants - raising funds and awareness for their chosen charity HHT Ireland

❤️ 7 PEAKS. 3 LADS. 3 MISSIONS. ONE VERY IMPORTANT CAUSE. ❤️

On Saturday 8th August, Dean, Simon and Kris took on our Mournes 7x7 Challenge with three clear missions in mind,

1️⃣ Complete their personal challenge
2️⃣ Raise awareness for HHT Ireland
3️⃣ Raise funds to help support the charity and the families living with HHT

You may have spotted them out on the peaks because, let’s be honest, they definitely stood out from the crowd in their bright red HHT Ireland T-shirts and hats!

But behind those red shirts was a much bigger reason for them being there.

So, what exactly is HHT?

Hereditary Haemorrhagic Telangiectasia, or HHT, is a rare genetic blood-vessel disorder. In simple terms, some of the blood vessels in the body don’t form normally and can become fragile, causing them to bleed.
For many people, one of the first signs is unexplained, recurrent nosebleeds.

But HHT can affect much more than the nose. Abnormal blood vessels can develop in the stomach and bowel, lungs, liver and brain and can sometimes cause serious complications, including stroke.

HHT affects around 1 in 5,000 people, yet approximately 90% of those affected remain undiagnosed.
That means there are families out there who may have been living with unexplained nosebleeds, anaemia, unexplained bleeding or other bleeding complications for years without knowing there could be a genetic condition behind them.

HHT is hereditary, meaning if a parent has HHT, there is a 50% chance of passing the condition on to each child.

There is currently no cure for HHT, but there are treatments and ways of managing the condition, including treating abnormal blood vessels and managing the iron-deficiency anaemia caused by blood loss.

Some patients require iron infusions or blood transfusions.
This is why awareness matters.
And this is why we are incredibly proud that Dean, Simon and Kris chose our challenge as a way of shining a light on a condition that so many people have never heard of.

They trained for months. They pushed themselves through the highs and lows of training. They took on seven peaks and completed the challenge ,but perhaps their biggest achievement was helping more people hear the name HHT.

To Dean, Simon and Kris ,thank you for choosing the Mournes 7x7 Challenge and for bringing HHT Ireland with you onto the mountains.
And to HHT Ireland ,thank you for allowing our challenge to play a small part in helping bring this important condition out of the shadows.

If you or someone in your family has unexplained recurrent nosebleeds, unexplained anaemia or a family history of bleeding , it may be worth finding out more.

And if you are eligible to donate blood, please consider doing so. For people who experience significant blood loss, donated blood can be life-saving.

Seven peaks may have been the challenge…
But raising awareness was the mission.
And these three lads certainly delivered.
🩸Dean
🩸Simon
🩸Kris
Mourne 7x7 Challenge ,where every peak can help tell a story.Ps We loved how they trained at ‘Bloody Bridge’ 🤣👏🩸

You want more photos? Okay here you go! From our marshals out on the course, including our super-sweeper Aaron who made sure everyone got home safe 😎

Huge thanks to Harry Bell Harry's Photography for these early-doors snaps in Donard Forest. Look at your apprehensive / determined / wee-bit-worried faces on the first climb of the day :)

We have loads more photos from our marshal team to share over the coming days - feel free to like/tag/share & all that :)

Massive thanks to Richard, one of our friends in BARF for these epic photos from Ben Crom dam. The halfway point and don't you all look pleased with yourselves :)

Greg cow-belling in our final finishers. Well done everyone! Lots more pics to come tomorrow