A team of staff will be climbing Yr Wyddfa (Mount Snowdon) to raise money for equipment to benefit patients needing surgery.
The group, consisting of colleagues from across Surgery and Critical Care (S&CC), will be completing the mammoth climb on Saturday 30 September.
At the highest elevation, the mountain in Wales is more than 1,000 metres above sea level. The team is hoping to complete its climb in around six hours, depending on the weather conditions on the day.
Kerry Owen, S&CC Matron, Jennifer Orton, Associate Chief Operating Officer for S&CC, Michael Searby, S&CC Matron, Victoria Marshall, General Manager for S&CC, Denise Walker, Senior Healthcare Assistant, and Ricardo Pacheco, Trauma and Orthopaedic Surgeon, have all been preparing for the climb over the past few months.
Kerry said: “I’m really looking forward to the challenge and sharing the experience with other members of the team. We considered jumping out of a plane when we first started planning something to do but I don’t like heights!
“I thought it would be really fun to involve colleagues from across the Trust. We’re going to use the money to purchase additional equipment for across the S&CC division. It depends how much we raise as to what we can buy. The items will all benefit patient experience and are above and over what we’d normally provide.
“I have previously climbed Yr Wyddfa but found it a real struggle! I must have stopped 40 times along the way, so this is going to be a real challenge. Going up the mountain is really hard on your knees. Please get behind us and donate anything you can.”
Some of the team climbed Mam Tor in the Peak District recently to prepare for the challenge, whilst others have been practicing on the Little Wold Plantation in South Cave.
The Health Tree Foundation has supported the climb by providing T-shirts for the team to wear on the day.
The team has set itself a target of £500 but is hoping to raise as much money as possible. You can donate to the cause via JustGiving.