Sisters take on mountain trek in memory of dad

Shauna and Racheal Jones said they wanted to give a little bit back

Two sisters who climbed up Wales' highest mountain to raise money for the hospice which cared for their father said it "meant the world" to give something back.

Shauna and Rachael Jones were among dozens of walkers braving the elements for the Snowdon Sunrise Trek which raised more than £13,000 for Wigan and Leigh Hospice.

The siblings, from Leigh, climbed the 1,085m (3,560ft) Yr Wyddfa peak in freezing temperatures in memory of their "big hearted" father, Dave Jones.

They said the "gentle giant", who died in January aged 65, would have been "very proud" of them.

'Loved the banter'

"They did absolutely everything for us and we can't thank them enough," Shauna said.

"It means the world to us to do this. It's just to give a little bit back."

Rachael said their father "loved the banter with all the nurses", which "was great for him".

Walkers braved the elements to climb Snowdon to raise funds for the hospice

Caeryn Collins took part in the trek in memory of her mother who died of secondary breast cancer in November 2021.

"She was in twice. Once where we thought things were coming to a close and they managed to get her medicated properly and give us an extra few weeks, which was amazing," she said.

She said they gave the whole family "calm and peace and that absolutely meant the world".

On the trek, she added: "There's been great camaraderie coming up. It's been lovely."

Caeryn Collins says there was "great camaraderie" on the trek

John Vickers's wife, Sue, died in the hospice on 12 December.

He said it was an "honour" to do the walk because of the "amazing" treatment his wife received.

The trek "was hard but it is worthwhile", he said.

"The money raised makes a big difference to the hospice. They need £12,000 a day to keep going," he added.

Mr Vickers said he was thinking about his wife, who loved fell walking, and had done a previous trek in her memory.

But he joked how he was not sure she would have like the weather.

He added: "When I got to the top I just said, 'we've done it again for you, what shall we do next time?'"