Everest trip for Oswestry fundraiser
An Oswestry man is taking on an 18-day challenge to climb to Mount Everest 's base camp in aid of a charity which has helped his father and uncle manage their diabetes.
Matt Finch, 26, from Oswestry, hopes to raise £3,000 for Diabetes UK by scaling the 17,598 feet to the base camp later this year and has already been training for month to prepare himself for the trip.
Mr Finch, a buyer for Oswestry building firm JR Pickstock, starts his challenge on November 21.
He chose Diabetes UK because his dad, John Finch, 58, was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes 10 years ago and his uncle, Eddie Rudge, 64, was also diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes three years ago.
Mr Finch said: "I wanted to raise money for Diabetes UK because I know how helpful my dad and uncle have found the advice the charity provides on managing the condition.
"Climbing the 17,598 feet to Everest base camp is a tough personal challenge.
"I started training 15 weeks ago and will continue with my preparations until we fly out to Nepal in November."
He is holding a fundraising evening at the Wynnstay Hotel, Oswestry on September 26 at 7.30pm.
There will be a hog roast, auction and live music.
Tickets are £10 for adults and £5 for children and are available from ringing Mr Finch on 07807805684
Ellen Jurczak, fundraiser for Diabetes UK in the Midlands, said: "I'd like to say a big thank you to Matt for taking on this challenge to raise money for Diabetes UK.
"Without our fundraisers we would not be able to do our work to support people with diabetes which we know has a real impact on the quality of their lives."
She said raising £100 would cover the cost of keeping the charity's Careline service open for half an hour, £500 pays for training for 20 risk assessment volunteers to support the group's Healthy Lifestyle Roadshows and a £1,000 can pay for four people to attend a family support weekend for people with diabetes.
To sponsor Matt go to www.justgiving.com/matthew-finch3 or text MATF67 and the ammount to 70070
