Rotary fundraising reaches new heights

THE president of the Westbury Rotary Club, Jon Street, is on course to smash his fundraising target after he climbed to the summit of Yr Wyddfa (formerly known by its English name, Snowdon) for charity.

Jon, who has raised over £1,000 so far, is aiming to raise £1,500 that will be split between Southmead Hospital Respiratory department, the Rotary Foundation and local charities supported by the Rotary Club of Westbury.

Jon was joined on the trek by members of Westbury Rotary and the Inner Wheel, Julie Street, Julian Sandoe, and Jackie Pike. “We completed the whole walk in five hours, not including breaks for food/drink,” explained Jon. “The distance was 6.8 miles and we got to the top at 1,085m above sea level.

“The weather was very kind to us as can be seen by some of us just wearing t-shirts.  The route was steeper in places than I remembered, as memory tends to blank out some things that are better left out! Perhaps this will be the last time up Snowdon for me, but you never know.

“In all, I hope to have raised around £1,500 for Southmead Hospital Respiratory dept, Rotary Foundation and local charities supported by the Rotary Club of Westbury in equal measures. There were very many supporters and sponsors, and they made every step a little easier.”

Jon had previously said that the trek was also a personal challenge for himself after he attempted to overcome some major health concerns that kept him out of action for some time.

Jon says he has previously climbed Snowdon four times and Ben Nevis once, and he used to be a keen runner, having completed two Bath Half Marathons, being a member of the Westbury running groups and a regular at the local parkrun.

He had to change his active lifestyle in 2020 after suffering major respiratory problems and suspected cardiac issues that left him unable to climb a single flight of stairs without having to rest.

Jon underwent a training regime for the climb that saw him walk 97 miles over the past three months, and he completed the trek to the summit of Yr Wyddfa on Wednesday 24th May.

Jon’s JustGiving can be found by visiting: www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/jonathan-street