A WOKINGHAM resident realised a 34-year-old dream by completing a climb he was forced to abort last year.
Mark Summers reached the summit of Mount Snowdon, a quest he had been inspired to fulfil since his Boys’ Brigade days, as part of his effort to raise money for the Berkshire MS Therapy Centre.
He came within a whisker of finishing the Three Peaks challenge eight months earlier but multiple weather warnings meant he could only conquer Ben Nevis and Scafell Pike.
Wokingham Today spoke with Mark after his first attempt, when he expressed his disappointment, but vowed to return to complete the challenge.
Mark said: “It was a fantastic day. Not being able to do it last time, after putting our hearts and souls into it, was devastating.
“But this time there was a buzz, it was the perfect weekend to do the perfect challenge.”
Joined by friends Paul Cowan, Ken Critcher and Sam Ruffle, the stars aligned for the Wokingham resident this time around.
Mark, whose wife Jeannine has multiple sclerosis, was determined to see the challenge through was
“Even when it was steep and tough, my friends were saying, ‘do not stop, you will not stop’”, he explained.
“You need to get through the pain barrier. If you don’t, you’ll just give up. It took us two hours and 42 minutes, which is very good.
“We were able to take some amazing photographs at the top, the view was beautiful. We are so lucky to have some beautiful scenery in this country. A lot of us have the opportunity to see the view but people with MS don’t have that option.
“It was a privilege to do it on their behalf.”
He described video calling his wife and performing his grandson’s trademark fist punch at the summit.
The team enjoyed taking the miners’ track back down, energised by their accomplishment the entire way back to Berkshire.
Mark said he has now caught the climbing bug, and hopes to do another trek in Wales, as well as the Yorkshire Three Peak Challenge, in the near future.
The purpose of the effort was twofold: to raise money for the Berkshire MS Therapy Centre, and to increase awareness of the plight of those who live with the condition.
Mark believes people can make a big difference just by being aware of their surroundings when those in wheelchairs are trying to get about.
He said: “People can lose their independence. In my wife’s case, she spent 47 years being able to walk. Sometimes she’ll apologise when people bump into her on the street. Why should she say sorry?
“I can only imagine what it feels like. I can never feel the pain, the anguish or the struggle that many people feel, day in, day out.
“We should all be grateful. The world would be a better place if people cared more.”
To make a donation, visit: www.justgiving.com/page/mark-summers-1680553721227
