A FATHER of two from Old Cleeve is hoping to raise £3,500 for a Somerset charity in the run-up to a testing trek across the Him-alayas.
Keith Hunt, 53, chose St Margaret’s Hospice after his mother died from cancer last year as he believes it could have helped her had she lived longer.
He will cover nearly 50 miles over the mountain range, reaching altitudes of about 3,200 metres.
Keith said: “I am really looking forward to the challenge.
“I have been looking to do something for charity for a while – I have done things in the past but when I got married and had a family it all went on hold.
“I got pneumonia over New Year, and was worried I would not be able to do it, but my doctor is really happy with my progress and has given me the all clear.
“The support has been great, people have been coming forward to say they want to arrange more fundraising events to help me reach my target for St Margaret’s. Neither of my parents lived very long after they were diagnosed with cancer but I know from other people’s experiences that if they had, the charity would have been great.”
Several events are coming up to support Keith’s efforts – afternoon tea and a raffle at 3pm on March 31 at Old Cleeve Community Hall, a quiz night at 7.30pm on April 21 in Washford Memorial Hall and a coffee morning at 10.30am on April 28 at Roadwater village hall.
Keith is funding the trip himself, so all money raised will go towards the charity, which provides care to people with terminal illnesses.
He has raised just over £300 to date and the big push starts now.
To donate or to find out more about the challenge, visit www.virginmoney|giving.com/keithhunt
