Fearless fundraisers to scale their biggest challenge yet for children’s hospices

FEARLESS fundraisers are about to take on their biggest ever feat for a transformative children’s charity.

A group of lecturers and staff led by Karl Jackson, Assistant Principal for the Institute of Technology at Coleg Cambria’s Bersham Road site in Wrexham, are aiming to complete the Skye is the Limit Challenge next month (May).

Over recent years they have taken on the Welsh Three Peaks and the Crazy 7 for Stepping Stones North Wales and collected more than £1,000 for Menstrual Health Project (MHP) by completing the Cairngorm 4000s, a three-day hike across 4,000ft+ mountains in Scotland’s eastern highlands.

Karl and lecturer Paul Standring also conquered the four-day Freezing Fingers expedition in bleak, wintry conditions over the Rhinogydd mountain range in Snowdonia.

This time the team is raising money for Hope House/Tŷ Gobaith children’s hospices and targeting another £1,000 by overcoming their greatest adventure yet.

“We will be driving for more than 12 hours in a minibus through the night before arriving at Skye and then walking for more than three days across the island, with no accommodation,” said Karl.

“Everything we have will be packed in 20 kilo bags on our backs – including tents, food and water – so it’s an incredibly tough challenge but one we will be ready for.”

He added: “The walk is not marked out and the terrain will be very difficult but as usual, we will train hard and prepare well. This is the most difficult and uncompromising task we’ve ever given ourselves, so the stakes are higher than ever.

“We are already receiving donations and are so grateful for the support; hopefully our amazing industry partners and local businesses will get behind us and help to raise as much as we possibly can for this incredible charity.”

Hope House/Tŷ Gobaith area fundraiser for Wrexham Bethan Young thanked Coleg Cambria for its unwavering support over past years.

“We are so grateful to Karl and the team from Bersham Road for taking on this incredible feat up in Skye, it takes real commitment, and they are very brave,” she said.

“We will be thinking of them every step of the way and know they will do brilliantly.”

Bethan added: “Every penny they raise will go directly to the care and support of seriously ill local children and their families – good luck!”

The organisation provides vital care and support for children with life-threatening conditions and has two hospices and 15 shops across Shropshire, Cheshire, Mid and North Wales helping to raise the £7.5 million needed to fund care for every child in need.

To sponsor Karl and the team please visit their JustGiving page: Karl Jackson is fundraising for Hope House & Ty Gobaith (justgiving.com).

Visit www.hopehouse.org.uk for the latest news and information from Hope House/ Tŷ Gobaith children’s hospices.