Trekkers battle 'tough' hike for £21k for hospital

Thousands of pounds were raised through the charity walk

More than £21,000 has been raised for a hospital trust thanks to a charity hike in what organisers described as tough conditions.

The challenge saw 58 people climb to the summit of Yr Wyddfa, Wales' tallest mountain, in the dark - facing torrential rain and 50mph winds.

Funds raised will go to the Worcestershire Acute Hospitals Charity, towards improving care and experiences for patients in the area.

"My beautiful boy came into the world tiny and fragile," said Paige Cheshire, who climbed with her family to give back to the neonatal unit at Worcestershire Royal hospital, after her son was born at 30 weeks.

"What followed was an emotional 47-day stay in the neonatal unit – intubation, sepsis and a cerebral palsy diagnosis.

"But throughout it all, the neonatal team stood by us with expertise, compassion, and unwavering support - they saved my boy and held me up when I needed strength the most."

The conditions were tough and included torrential rain and strong winds, organiser said

Husband and wife, Andy and Heather Asbury, climbed in the June trek to raise money for one of the charity's specialist funds - The Children of Worcestershire and Herefordshire Cancer Fund.

It is a cause close to their home because they said the group supported their son Josh during his treatment.

They walked along with Dawn Forbes, a children's cancer specialist nurse with the NHS trust.

"Without the support of Dawn and the charity, Josh's hospital journey would have been very different," said Mr Asbury.

"From little things like fresh fruit vouchers for the fruit stall outside the hospital to bigger things like Halloween parties, they helped us to make memories and to feel more comfortable during our hospital stays.

"Even now, they're still there for us after Josh rang his end-of-treatment bell."

The people who climbed had a personal connection to the trust, organisers said

Members of the trust's children's emergency department team also made the climb, raising money to buy toys and therapeutic resources - with the aim of helping young patients feel more at ease during visits.

"This support reduces anxiety and helps both children and their families feel more relaxed during their time with us," said Natalya Moore, from the trust.