Dad and son raise over £2,500 for cancer charities with mountain trek

The song of a former Mayor of Dudley has proven he’s a chip off the old block by climbing Snowdon in aid of the Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation.

32-year-old Joe Waltho has climbed with Steve, who is well known himself for five decades of fundraising for good causes, before and opted to take the notorious 'Crib Goch' route.

When Joe confessed that he was determined to do it alone if necessary, Steve offered to accompany him if no-one else would.

Steve said: “When I thought of what I’d agreed to I did question my own sanity since I’m 70 years of age and the route involves a climb up a very steep rocky gradient to emerge on an arête which is like walking across the apex of a roof for nearly a mile with roughly a 500 foot drop on either side!

I did it roughly 40 years ago and remember how tough it was. It was a very long, warm day and took every ounce of my energy to keep going. I was very proud of Joe who led the route and was a tower of strength but I was quite relieved when we emerged onto the summit of Snowdon”.

Joe, who works in the car trade, set an initial target of £500 but this was  smashed as generous sponsors to date have contributed over £2500. He would like to thank his employers, Arbury Group, several other motor industry contacts and Mum Lynda as well as every other individual who generously contributed.

Steve, a Prostate Cancer survivor himself, said he would also donate £500 to Prostate Cancer UK. Anyone who still wishes to contribute can do so by simply Googling JustGiving and searching for Joe Waltho.

Meanwhile Steve is still contemplating his next challenge in August to conquer Britain’s highest peak, Ben Nevis. As Chair of the Bert Bissell Memorial Society he has led groups up the Ben for the last 12 years commemorating Dudley’s peace-making legend Bert Bissell.

There are still just a couple of accommodation slots remaining for anyone who fancies the challenge. The group leave Dudley on August 13th returning on Sunday 16th.

Anyone interested should email Steve or message him on 07703 308 463.