St David's Hospice: Take on the highest mountains in Wales

WALKING CHALLENGE: Snowdon, Wales’ tallest peak and the highest point in Britain outside the Scottish highlands

By Marie Lidgett

On Saturday, September 3, a charity walk is being organised by a local adult hospice and professional mountain leaders, to complete the Welsh Three Peaks and raise funds for end-of-life care in Northwest Wales.

The Welsh Three Peaks Challenge is made up of three of the highest and most iconic mountains in Wales: Snowdon, Wales’ tallest peak and the highest point in Britain outside the Scottish highlands; Cadair Idris, a spectacular peak at the southerly edge of Snowdonia National Park; and Pen y Fan, the highest peak in the Brecon Beacons National Park in South Wales. In total, it includes a total walking distance of 17 miles (27.4km) and achieving an ascent of 2334 metres (7657ft).

This charity challenge is a must for those who enjoy walking and would like to push themselves a little.

St David’s Hospice Gwynedd and Anglesey area fundraiser Keri Mckie explains how the day the event works: “The event is led by local expert mountain leaders Anelu Aim Higher and is open to those with a reasonable level of fitness over the age of 18. In general, most complete the route from north to south but we will be doing it in reverse so we can finish on home soil.

“Meeting in Bangor at 11pm the night before (Friday, September 2), we will travel by coach to South Wales for the start of the challenge. Transport is provided throughout; you just need to get yourselves to the meeting point on the Friday evening and home again from either Llanberis or the original meeting point in Bangor on Saturday.

"This event is perfect for individuals looking to take on a challenge but unsure of routes or would like to walk in the company of others, as well as groups of friends/colleagues searching for a team-building exercise.

“It’s advised to have practice walks before setting off on the challenge and some general fitness training. Join us to experience some of the most spectacular mountain scenery in the world and an unrivalled day of discovery, adventure and achievement.”

Registration is £59 and the minimum sponsorship level is £350 per person. Once you have registered, you will be supported by Gwynedd and Anglesey area fundraiser, Keri McKie who will provide ideas and support to enable you to reach your fundraising target.

To find out more and to register click here.

St David's Hospice Lottery Weekly Draw

Draw Date: August 5

1st prize of £1000  083655 Mochdre

2nd prize of £100 083567 Rothwell

Plus 80 prizes £5 for full details click here.

To join the Lottery call 01492 877999.

Skydivers jump to it to raise money for local end-of-life care

Twelve daredevil supporters have taken part in a skydiving challenge to raise funds for St David’s Hospice.

Jumping from 10,000ft, the fundraisers took part in a charity tandem skydive at The Parachute Centre in Shropshire.

Originally planned to take place on May 8 at Llanbedr Airfield, it was rearranged due to the airfield cancelling all skydives. The participants were then moved over to the Tilstock Airfield and they selected various dates to suit themselves.

Supporters who have taken part to date include Janet Evans, St David’s Hospice Menai Bridge team leader and Anglesey Hospice nurses Ellie Sanderson and Bethan Mansell.

Jodie Jones, one of Bethan’s friends who also took part in the exhilarating skydive said, “No words can describe the truly amazing lifetime experience of jumping out of a plane. But knowing you're doing it for an amazing charity makes it so much more special! End-of-life care is the last gift of life and throwing myself out of a plane and raising money to help that process is unbelievably rewarding. Thank you everyone for the donations.”

So far through sponsorship, the event has raised over £10,000 for St David’s Hospice.

Gwynedd and Anglesey area fundraiser, Keri McKie thanked everyone for taking part and said, “We are incredibly grateful to have received the tremendous response we did to this event. Hearing the stories of our supporters and seeing the photos after they have participated have been fantastic.

"Skydiving for the hospice offers the perfect opportunity for the thrill-seekers amongst us to tick an item off their bucket list whilst raising money to support people living with life-limiting illnesses and those close to them. Due to the overwhelming response, we have set a second Skydive day for Saturday, October 15th and places are filling up fast.”

Tandem skydiving is the easiest and most hassle-free way to experience a jump. You will be in a dual harness, securely attached to an experienced instructor who will give you a taste of what skydiving is all about.

You’ll experience the amazing thrill of free-fall skydiving and enjoy a long parachute descent. Because the tandem instructor takes control of all the vital functions, such as opening the tandem parachute and landing, your preparation for the jump only takes about 20 minutes.

The registration fee is £50, plus £450 minimum sponsorship level. For further details about this chance in a lifetime adventure or to register click here.

SUMMER FAIR - Last Saturday St David's Hospice held it's annual Summer Fair for the first time since 2019 in the grounds of the Hospice and the Loreto Centre in Llandudno.

Despite the inclement weather, visitors from far and wide turned up to support their local Hospice. They enjoyed browsing over 35 various stalls, whilst being entertained by live music from Colwyn Bay Ukulele Group and performances by the Conwy Reflections Dancers.

Visitors were also able to enjoy refreshments from Cafe Dewi and a very popular BBQ as well as the Hospice cake stall, which completely sold out!

In total the whole day raised over £7500 for St David's Hospice.

St David's Hospice would like to thank; HSBC for the fund matching they provided, our amazing team of volunteers for their support, helping to run the stalls, and supporting the Fundraising Team with the setting up and packing down of the event, also thanks to local businesses and groups that supported the event by either having a stall at the Fair or donated a variety of gifts.

Date for your diary - The St David's Hospice Christmas Fair - Saturday, November 26, Venue Cymru Arena 11am-3pm. Contact Adrian Owen on 01492 873674 or adrian.owen@stdavidshospice.org.uk

St David's Hospice is at Abbey Road, Llandudno, Conwy.

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