Peak performance from Kingsclere fundraiser

Resident scales Snowden by moonlight for Macmillan

A KINGSCLERE woman has raised almost £1,300 for Macmillan Cancer Support by scaling Mount Snowdon by moonlight in memory of her late father.

Debbie Summerfield, 44, braved torrential rain and galeforce winds to take part in the Mount Snowdon Moonlight Hike on behalf of the charity.

She and a friend took on the challenge in memory of her father, who lost his battle with cancer in October 2014.

Following the gruelling hike, Ms Summerfield explained why she decided to raise funds for the charity.

“When my dad was poorly, Macmillan and St Catherine’s Hospice couldn’t do enough for us,” she said. “They not only helped him, but the rest of the family as well and their support continued even after he’d died.”

The Mount Snowdon Moonlight Hike is an event organised by the charity in which those taking part scale the 1,085-metre peak during a full moon.

More than 300 people took part in this year’s event, which is expected to raise £245,000 for the charity.

Despite the severe weather conditions, Debbie described it as ‘an amazing experience’.

She said: “The atmosphere in the tent before we left was electric and I felt really privileged to be a part of it. We set off at midnight and just over three hours later we were nearing the top of the mountain.

“By this stage the weather had deteriorated badly; our clothes were wringing wet, it was pitch black and the winds were so strong the only way we could make it to the summit was on all fours.

“We arrived back down the mountain by 6.30am looking like a couple of drowned rats, but after a slap-up breakfast, and a quick lie-down back at our hotel we decided to make the most of our time there by exploring the local area.

“Altogether, with sponsorship money from friends and family, and an extra £93 that I managed to collect by accosting strangers in the hotel bar the night before, I expect to have raised £800.

“This will be boosted by a £500 donation from SGN’s Into Action fund, which supports employees who give their time up for charity, bringing the grand total to £1,300.

“I felt as though I earned every single penny though – it was one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do.”