Night hike raises more than £25,000 in memory of Monmouth pupil
On Friday 22nd March, 250 people scaled one of Wales' highest peaks, raising over £25,000 for Cancer Research Wales. The hike was in memory of Tom Walker, who died from leukaemia last June, aged 13. Tom, a pupil at Monmouth School for Boys, was the youngest of 90 people who defied cold and wet conditions to tackle the first Brecon Beacons Night Hike last year, and his family, friends and teachers retraced his steps last Friday.
Staff at Haberdashers' Monmouth Schools were among the 250 people who took part in Friday's Brecon Beacons Night Hike. Staff at Haberdashers' Monmouth Schools were among those who scaled Pen y Fan to raise money for Cancer Research Wales.
It was a special evening, with wonderful camaraderie from all those who scaled Pen y Fan. Tom's youngest sister Emily, a pupil at Monmouth School Girls' Prep, gave a moving and inspirational speech. The money raised from the hike will go towards the cost of funding a three-year £100,000 PhD research project, set up by Tom's family with support from Cancer Research Wales, into Acute Myeloid Leukaemia.
The event organiser, Mr Dale Evans, from Cancer Research Wales, said: "Well done to everyone who took part in this very special and poignant occasion. "The skies over Brecon had the company of an extra 250 stars who came out to remember a wonderful boy whose life shone so brightly and inspired all. Let's keep the light shining."
Tom, from Devauden near Chepstow, was a keen swimmer and had been learning to row on the River Wye.
Tom's youngest sister, Emily Walker (left) with friend Ailsa Whitehead at Friday's remarkable fund-raising event.