A NORTH Cumbrian man is closing in on completing 1,000 climbs of the same Lake District fell and is calling on local people to help him raise money for Eden Valley Hospice by sponsoring his efforts.
Steve Hartley, 69, lives in the Westward area near Wigton, began climbing the 1,500ft Carrock Fell in the northern Lakes in 2013, aiming to make 100 ascents each year – the equivalent to climbing Everest from sea level five times.
Almost a decade after beginning, Steve wants to mark the milestone by raising money for the hospice which has helped care for his wife Jan, who has Multiple Sclerosis (MS) over a number of years.
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Steve, who is retired but is a full-time carer for Jan, said: “Over the years Eden Valley Hospice has provided great support to Jan through their Day Services for people with life-limiting diseases. They have also provided respite breaks from time to time, giving me the opportunity to have short periods away from home.
“The hospice provides much more than palliative care which is the role that most people perceive. It also provides physical and emotional support to family members impacted by life-limiting conditions.”
The walks up Carrock Fell take Steve just over an hour to do and barring any injuries or illness, he anticipates completing his thousandth ascent in September – at which point he hopes he might be able to start walking up a different mountain.
“We used to be keen hill walkers in the past until MS took away Jan’s physical abilities,” Steve added.
“Given my caring role, going out for all-day climbing adventures has become impractical and Carrock Fell is both a good climb, a workout, and can be done without disrupting her care for too long.”
“Covid has put paid to several of the hospice's functions and has also impacted on its ability to raise funds for its vital activities. I saw achieving my goal as an opportunity to repay the hospice in some modest way.”
Steve has set up a Just Giving page at www.justgiving.com/Steve-Hartley-Carrock-Challenge with his total currently sitting at more than £1,500.
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