WESTBURY father, Nick Jones, who is raising money to establish a foundation to support bereaved children, says he is committed to completing his charity climb of Mount Everest, planned for next month.
Father to two teenage children, Nick has been diagnosed with malignant hypertension, a terminal illness that attacks the heart and internal organs. He is currently being assisted by Dorothy House, who are helping him through his end-of-life care.
Money raised from his Everest climb will help to set up ‘The Nick Jones Foundation for Bereaved Children’ a support service for children living with loss.
With the “support of eight friends, Nick will embark on his challenge next month. However, after experiencing a health scare earlier this month, doctors have said that the challenge could be his last.
Speaking to White Horse News, Nick said, “My doctor has said, ‘I don’t think you’re going to come back Nick,’ so I guess I’m going through that process now of dealing with that news. But I’m definitely committed to going, without a doubt. Having an awareness of that is difficult – I’ve got to accept it – that’s what I’m going through now.
“I don’t know what to expect – I do know what to expect about reaching Everest base camp, but climbing to Island peak, which is another few thousand feet, there are some butterflies – but I can’t think of anywhere else I’d rather be.”
Nick made the pledge to complete his challenge at a cheque presentation, where two businesses from Melksham, Total Carpets and TJ Professional Builders, handed over cheques for £200 each.
Nick said, “There’s the old saying that every penny counts, and for us being new – there’s a lot of structural stuff to set up to be a foundation – this means a lot!
“The generosity knocks me off my feet. I come from a humble background – to be given these cheques, it means the world to me. It helps me to leave something behind. On our foundation T-shirts it says, ‘If you can’t make a mark, leave a mark’ and that’s what I intend to do – to help everyone else. This is worth its weight in gold to me.”
If you would like to donate to ‘The Nick Jones Foundation for Bereaved Children’, visit their Go Fund Me page at www.go fundme.com/NickJones Foundation.
