A former primary school teacher is set to scale Ben Nevis in the hope raising a mountain of cash in memory of a young woman who died in a tractor accident.
Helen Middlehurst, 55, of Treuddyn, is taking to the UK’s highest peak to raise money for Hope House Children’s Hospices in memory of family friend Chloe Farrell, 22, who was tragically killed in May 2017 after a tractor accident at an Abersoch resort.
Helen, who taught nursery children at Buckley’s Mountain Lane Primary School until recently taking up a new challenge working alongside her husband, Nick, in their financial services business, says she has been set a target of raising £3,000 by Chloe’s mum, Karen.
She said: “I knew Chloe almost all her life. Karen, her mum, and I met when Chloe, her brother Brad and my children George and Lucy were all in nursery together in Llanarmon. We’ve been firm friends ever since.
“It’s been just over two years since the devastating loss of Chloe and I decided to walk up Ben Nevis to raise money for Ty Gobaith.
“The hospice provided Karen, her family and friends such amazing help following Chloe’s accident and their support is something for which we will always be grateful.
“Chloe was able to rest in the hospice’s Snowflake Room ahead of her funeral which gave Karen, her family and all Chloe’s friends so much comfort as they could spend time with her in what is a specially adapted room.”
Chloe Farrell was tragically killed in May 2017 in Abersoch
She added: “Having walked up Snowdon and Scafell Pike already I’m determined to go up Ben Nevis to conclude my challenge of walking up the three highest mountains in the UK.
“Chloe was herself a huge supporter of Hope House Children’s Hospices and raised an amazing £10,000 for the charity the year before her accident by completing the three peaks challenge.
“Chloe managed it in less than 24 hours while it’s taken me three years to complete the job. But I’ll get there eventually and I’m sure Chloe will forgive Aunty Helen for the time it’s taken me to complete the task.
“Karen Farrell set me a challenge of raising £3,000 and I’m over £2,000 so far, so with a little help I’m hoping I will make it.
“I’m doing the walk on Saturday (September 14th) and I’m grateful; that my husband Nick will be walking with me. Anyone who wants to donate can visit my Just Giving page.”
Hope House Children’s Hospices fundraiser Beverley Bradley says she is really grateful to Helen for her support.
Helen Middlehurst is to hike Ben Nevis
She said: “The Farrell family and friends such as Helen have given the hospice amazing support. I’m really pleased Helen is taking on this challenge in memory of Chloe. To have already raised more than £2,000 of her £3,000 target is amazing and a fabulous effort.
“Sadly, every week, three local families face their biggest fear and their child dies. Hope House Children’s Hospices cannot stop children dying but we can stop families suffering on their own.
“When they are facing the most devastating loss of their lives we must be there. We need to reach every child, mum, dad, sister and brother and to do this we need to raise more money so we can offer even more services.
“We need to raise in excess of £6m a year to support all the children and families we help from across North Wales, Shropshire and parts of Cheshire.”
Helen Middlehurst’s Just Giving Page can be found at www.justgiving.com/fundraising/helen-middlehurst
To find out more about Hope House Children’s Hospices please visit www.hopehouse.org.uk
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