A son is organising a Snowdon challenge for Macmillan in memory of his father journalist and historian Gwyn Griffiths to thank the charity for supporting his family.
Author, award-winning translator and historian Gwyn, who lived in Pontypridd, died in April last year aged 77 just months after being diagnosed with incurable cancer.
In his memory, one of Gwyn’s four children, Gildas, is organising a Snowdon By Night challenge in April 2020, and a ball at Cardiff’s Copthorne Hotel on 19 June 2020.
Both events will raise funds for Macmillan Cancer Support.
Gildas, a manager at the NHS Wales Shared Services Partnership, is building a team of colleagues, family and friends to take on Mount Snowdon by night on 25 April next year.
The 46-year-old, who lives in Barry, said: “My dad was an inspirational man, an amazing father, husband, historian, journalist and a vital link between Wales and Brittany.
“Macmillan Cancer Support provided incredible emotional and physical support during his illness.
“He was diagnosed in January 2018 with cancer which had metastasized [spread], his condition deteriorated quickly and this was very difficult for his family to see.
“Whilst being extremely strong minded, his mobility eventually became restricted and Macmillan were able to provide equipment at the home to help him and his family because he wanted to stay home.
“Macmillan nurses provided dignified and compassionate care, which was helpful.
“He was eventually admitted to Pontypridd Cottage Hospital where he passed away peacefully.”
Gildas is no stranger to fundraising challenges as he has previously organised and taken on the Three Peaks Challenge for charities.
And the team taking on Snowdon By Night will be able to enjoy the spectacular sunrise when they’ve climbed Wales’s highest peak.
Father-of-two Gildas said: “The event is designed to get colleagues, friends and family together and enjoy the spectacular scenery in Snowdonia, but also get fit, shed a few pounds and improve our general wellbeing and to smash any previous fundraising targets!”
Plans are also well underway for a ball to celebrate the Snowdon by Night Challenge and in memory of Gwyn, who wrote for ‘Y Cymro’ and worked for BBC Wales during his celebrated career, which also including writing, translating and editing 25 publications.
Gildas is looking for donations for a charity raffle which will be held on the night.
Richard Pugh, Head of Services (Wales) for Macmillan Cancer Support, said: “Everyone at Macmillan would like to say a huge thank you to Gildas and the Snowdon By Night team for taking on this challenge to help us support people with cancer in Wales.
“We can only fund our services thanks to generosity such as theirs and I’d remind anyone who needs support, information or a chat with Macmillan to call us free on 0808 808 0000.”
