Today, Thursday (17th April), Tŷ Hafan dad Paul Fears will take on one of the biggest physical challenges of his life.
Paul, from Church Village and a long-time supporter of Tŷ Hafan, will start the seven day climb to Everest Base Camp in the foothills of the Himalayas, and all to raise money for Tŷ Hafan in memory of his beloved son Greg.
As he writes in his event blog: “I must admit I am nervous and apprehensive about the trip. It will be the longest time I have spent away from Jackie and the family since we lost Greg and that is going to be tough. I have trained hard and feel almost physically ready for the challenge, but mentally I feel a little bit more vulnerable.
“It’s been two years since we lost Greg and we miss him every day. There’s a hole in our life that will never be filled. Despite what people say, time doesn’t heal anything. There’s a deep sadness inside us that is always present. This doesn’t mean we can’t be happy, and however odd it may sound, the two emotions just sit side by side. We are different people since we lost Greg.
“But somehow you have to continue. You have to keep on living.
“Tŷ Hafan has been at our side since the moment we lost Greg. I never really understood the phrase, ‘once a Tŷ Hafan family, always a Tŷ Hafan family’ but I do now. I also had no understanding of the extent of their bereavement care, helping families when they have lost a loved one.
“For me that has included counselling, something I never thought I would need. The people at Tŷ Hafan are wonderful and continue to help us and support us in so many different ways. And so, Snowdog and I are using the Everest Base Camp challenge to raise much needed funds for them.”
Some key facts about Paul’s Base Camp Challenge:
- The trek is organised by The Events Room who have helped raise a lot of money for Tŷ Hafan at events they have held over the past two years with more to come
- The trek is 10 days in all, taking seven days to reach base camp and 3 to come back down
- Over the 10 days, Paul and company will trek 80 miles and climb to 5545m (18,192 feet)
- Paul’s mum, Gill, has knitted 20 stars in Tŷ Hafan colours which will bear the names of loved ones, many who are Tŷ Hafan children and supporters. The stars will go on Paul’s Cape For Loved Ones which he will be taking to Base Camp and wearing it on his rucksack. Each star has been sponsored to raise money for Tŷ Hafan.
Claire Horrex, Community Fundraising Manager for Tŷ Hafan, said: “Paul is no stranger to taking on big physical challenges, having already completed the 5 in 55, 10 n Taff and Bike Boat Boot challenges for Tŷ Hafan. But tackling the trip to Everest Base camp is quite literally, on another level.
“We are extremely grateful to Paul for everything he is doing for us and we wish him all the very best for his upcoming trek.
“When a child’s life will be short, Tŷ Hafan will walk alongside that family every step of the way, through life, death and beyond. Paul’s fundraising efforts, and the poignancy of his blog, are testament to that.”
You can find out more and support Paul here:
Just Giving – Paul Fears is fundraising for Tŷ Hafan
Paul’s Blog – Everest Base Camp Trek in Greg’s Memory – Paul Fears Photography
