On April 17th 2025, Greg’s Snowdog and I will start the 7-day climb to Everest Base Camp. We are taking on the challenge in memory of our beautiful son Greg, whilst raising funds for Tŷ Hafan.
The trip has been organised and supported by the wonderful Mark and Matt of The Events Room. Mark is one of the team taking on the trek, along with Leigh, Dean, and Fintan. From the outset, the support from The Events Room has been incredible and they have helped us all raise thousands of pounds for our charities.
I must admit I am nervous and apprehensive about the trip. It will be the longest time I’ve 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 more vulnerable.
It has been two years since we lost Greg and we miss him every day. There is a hole in our life that will never be filled. Despite what people say, time doesn’t heal anything. There is 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 just 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 idea 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.
Just Giving – Snowdog Climbs Everest for Tŷ Hafan
For me, I find walking up hills and mountains helps my state of mind. And that’s one of the reasons I joined the team to climb to Everest Base Camp. Having to get fit enough to take on the challenge forces me to get out walking or go to the gym. Otherwise, I will always find an excuse to do something else less taxing. Once I am out I feel lighter. Often I walk across hill tops talking to Greg and my Dad and passing walkers must think I am rather odd. But who cares?
There is no doubting the difficulty of the challenge. A seven-day climb, mostly at altitude, followed by three days trekking back down the mountain. We will trek over 80 miles and ascend to 5545m. Above 2000m the air is thin, making even the smallest steps exhausting and there is a risk of altitude sickness. And with each step I will think of Greg, whose heart and lung condition meant he lived with very low oxygen saturation levels in his blood. Greg never complained. He just carried on despite being breathless and tired. He was the bravest person I have ever known.
So when I am struggling, I will just think of Greg.
When we get to Everest Base Camp, Snowdog and I will be standing at the highest point on Earth that I will ever reach. The nearest I will ever be to heaven, whatever form that may take, and Greg.
In fact, the toughest part of the challenge will be missing my family, Jackie, Tom, Mandy, Meg, Scott and baby grandson Rowan. They will all be in my thoughts every day. They have given me the strength to get out of bed each morning since losing Greg.
As leaving for Everest Base Camp gets ever closer, the nervous excitement builds. Already so many wonderfully generous people have supported me and I want to thank you all. Hopefully, Snowdog and I will raise a little more money for Tŷ Hafan and if you would like to support us please check out our Just Giving page – Snowdog Climbs Everest for Tŷ Hafan
And keep an eye out for our updates on social media! Greg’s Snowdog will be reporting on his adventures.
