08 January 2010
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Local man takes up Moroccan mountain challenge
Click to sponsor Jon at www.justgiving.com/jclaytontrek
Local man Jon Clayton is facing the challenge of a lifetime as he prepares to climb North Africa’s highest peak.
Jon, 29, can occasionally be seen out hiking the lakeland fells but on February 6th he will be flying out to Morocco to make a winter ascent of Mount Toubkal to raise money for St John’s Hospice - Lancaster.
Prior to making his ascent Jon will be spending 3 days trekking over the snow covered slopes of the high atlas mountains to acclimatise to the altitude & to practice walking with his ice axe & crampons. The summit day will entail an early start & a steep trek over snow & ice to reach the 4167m high summit.
“I’m a keen summer fell walker but this is going to be a serious challenge for me,” says Jon. “The whole idea of strapping spikes to my feet & trekking over ice is still new. I think it will take some getting used to! If that wasn’t enough to worry about I’ll also have the altitude to deal with. I must be mad!”
The hard work will all be worthwhile for Jon if he succeeds in raising £5,000 for St John’s Hospice. Jon’s grandfather passed away at the Hospice & spent his last days in their care. Jon is now personally involved in the ongoing refurbishment works of the existing wards as part of his work at Cassidy + Ashton Architects.
“Since I’ve been working with the Hospice I’ve been reminded of the support they provided to my family when my grandfather was ill.” Jon explained. “Recently I’ve had several opportunities to see the staff hard at work caring for their patients. Last month a close family friend passed away at the Hospice. He had been suffering from cancer & the Hospice provided respite care for his family through those difficult times.
“I’ve seen that the Hospice has done so much for our community, now it’s time I did something for them.”
Jon grew up in Heysham before working & travelling overseas for two years. He now resides in Lancaster and is hoping the local community will support him in his mountain challenge.
“My friends & family have been very generous and I hope other people in the area will sponsor me if they can,” said Jon. “My employer Cassidy + Ashton were also very supportive & the first business to sponsor me. I’ve also just received a very generous donation from Mount Recruitment & I’m hoping other local businesses will follow their lead & pledge whatever they can afford. The Hospice are heavily dependant on donations. Even a small amount will make a huge difference and mean St John’s Hospice can continue their invaluable work.”
You can sponsor Jon by visiting his online fundraising page on http://www.justgiving.com/jclaytontrek. You can pay by credit or debit card, and the money will go directly to St John’s Hospice - Lancaster. Where supporters are UK taxpayers, the charity will automatically receive 28% extra in Gift Aid, which makes Justgiving the most efficient way of sponsoring Jon.
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