INTREPID QUINTET – INCLUDING BLIND CLIMBER – RAISE THOUSANDS FOR NORFOLK’S SIGHT LOSS CHARITY

Five members of staff at Norfolk’s sight loss charity – including one who has been blind since birth – have raised nearly £5,000 to boost the charity’s support for people living with sight loss, after they tackled the UK’s third highest mountain.

The five tackled a six hour trek to climb the 3,500ft Mount Snowdon in Wales, raising £4,755 in the process to support Vision Norfolk’s work helping vision impaired people live independent and fulfilled lives.

Mr Bates was joined on the expedition chief executive Andrew Morter, and community outreach worker Matthew Hodder, along with services manager and deputy chief executive Barbara Dunn and leisure and activities co-ordinator Helen King, both of whom previously reached the summit in 2022, also to raise funds for the charity.

Ms Dunn commented, “When we climbed Snowdon last time it was completely misty when we got to the top, so we were pleased that we were able to enjoy the fantastic view this time.

“Whilst climbing Snowdon is an achievement for anyone, it is especially so for Ed, who of course had the extra challenge of not being able to see where he was putting his feet.  The idea of the climb this time around originated when Ed heard that he would not be able to make the trip to Everest base camp, and someone half-jokingly suggested we should create our own Everest by climbing Snowdon.  The idea snowballed from there.”

Anyone wishing to contribute to the quintet’s fundraising efforts can still do so by visiting www.justgiving.com/campaign/snowdonchallenge2024.