April 11, 2025 - 1006 views
A carpenter from Kinmel Bay will need to craft a sturdy pair of legs for his latest charity challenge.
Chris Bamber, 56, will be taking on the 270 mile Pennine Way route in May, camping out all the way to raise money for Tŷ Gobaith, North Wales’ only children’s hospice.
Having played rugby for both Abergele and Rhyl, Chris is well known in the area for his enthusiastic attitude to fitness and is already being well supported online by kind sponsors raising over £2,000 already.
He said: “I have done Offa’s Dyke for charity before which is 170 miles, so there’s an extra 100 miles on this one.
“This time, I thought that if I was going to do it and punish my body, then I wanted to support a local charity and started thinking about hospices.
“I knew a few people who have accessed the care and bereavement services at Tŷ Gobaith and when I researched it, I knew it was the one.”
Chris was recently invited to visit the hospice as part of an Open Day and said of his experience: “It made things a lot more real. It gave me a mixture of feelings, but is a really lovely place.
“I was gobsmacked by the figures they require to run every year and the minimal funding they get, so was inspired to try and raise as much as I can to help.”
For this challenge Chris will be travelling light and has opted for more streamlined kit to lessen the weight on his back.
“When the weather is bad or the ground is boggy, it can really sap your energy, so I have swapped for a smaller tent and will only carry minimal clothing which I can wash in streams or villages and rotate wearing them.
“I do have a blow-up sleep mat though for a bit of comfort.
“I’ll be starting in Edale and heading up to Kirk Yetholm in about 12 days I hope. I’ll then get a lift back home.”
Hospice fundraiser Sian Golding is supporting Chris on his journey, and said: “This is an incredible challenge and we are so impressed by Chris’ positive attitude and determination.
“It was wonderful to welcome him to the hospice to pull focus on the true cause and help him get extra inspiration for his fundraising.
“Every penny Chris raises will help us on our mission to reach and support every local child and family living with a life threatening condition.
“Good luck, Chris, we hope the weather’s kind and we’ll be thinking of you every step of the way.”
You can sponsor Chris here.
