A family duo completed a daunting challenge to raise funds for the charity which took care of their much-loved relative in her final days.
Michael Colwill, 64, and Gareth Colwill, 24, climbed Mount Snowdon in tribute to grandmother and mother-in-law Valerie Richards, who was looked after by Sue Ryder Duchess of Kent Hospice before she died.
The Spencers Wood residents were tested physically and mentally, taking a total of nine hours to complete the route.
Michael said: “We wanted to raise money for the hospice because of the amazing work they were doing in looking after Valerie at the end of her life. They were outstanding in meeting her every need.
“I climbed Scafell Pike in my younger days, and as a family we did a memory walk as Valerie was diagnosed with dementia and other family members have suffered from the same illness.
“Climbing Snowdon was really hard and it took everything I had to complete it. Gareth also found it harder than anticipated and had to help me get through to the end, but the views were amazing and it was a great sense of achievement reaching the finish line.”
Sadly, Valerie died on May 16, just a few days after the pair completed the Snowdon Challenge.
“The care that has been provided by Sue Ryder has been second-to-none and our family cannot thank them enough,” Michael said.
“We are so proud to have raised this money for an amazing charity close to our hearts.”
Already raising more than £1,000 for the charity, the Colwill family has asked that all donations at Valerie’s funeral be given to the hospice, and have even donated items to the Sue Ryder shop in Shinfield.
Fiona Keyte, senior community fundraiser for Sue Ryder, said: “Climbing Mount Snowdon is a huge achievement and we’re so grateful to Michael and Gareth for taking on the challenge in support of our hospice.
“The money raised will help us ensure we can be there when it matters for people going through the most difficult times of their lives.”
This August, the charity is running a Snowdon by Night challenge and is encouraging people to sign up for the unique opportunity under the stars to support its work.
For more information, visit; www.sueryder.org/snowdon
