RICHARD Yates had a special birthday gift for brother John as he completed the celebrated Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge…and raised more than £2,000 for our patient care.
John was a patient at St Luke’s before his death and it was as a tribute to him that Richard promised to take on the walking challenge on what would have been John’s February birthday.
And when bad weather forced Richard and his friends to abandon their first attempt, they refused to be deterred and simply went back to complete their task the following day!
“Throughout his illness John was cared for by staff from St Luke's and I promised John that I would walk the Three Peaks in his memory and to raise much needed funds for the charity,” said Richard, who lives in Nether Edge.
“John’s wish was that this should be done on his birthday as no doubt it would be cold, dark and wet in February so the walk would be far more challenging than if done in the summer months!
“We had set off walking on the Saturday morning but due to the extreme weather conditions we had to turn back.
“So at 4.45 on Sunday morning I set off with a set of amazing friends who gave their time, effort and support to help me keep a promise I made to my brother.
“Thankfully the weather was much kinder and with the exception of some snow flurries towards the end of the walk we were able to stay dry.”
Richard had set an initial fundraising target of £1,000 but by the time the challenge was completed he had raised £2,160.00.
“I cannot thank those who supported me enough, from the friends who took part, to the people who donated their hard earned money,” said Richard.
There’s still time to support Richard and his friends by making a donation at Richard's Challenge