150-mile trek for hospice completed as Ben Nevis summit reached

Robbie Cooke has been raising money for Katharine House in memory of his late wife Jan

After 10 days of trekking 150 miles from the North Sea coast of Scotland to the peak of Ben Nevis, Robbie Cooke has completed his mission.   He reached the summit of Ben Nevis on Saturday lunchtime.   In doing so he’s raised over £7,600 for the Katharine House Hospice in memory of his late wife Jan.

Robbie’s challenge started near Lossiemouth on the North Sea coast on Thursday September 2nd.   Over the next 9 days he trekked to the end of the East Highlands Way before arriving at Fort William.   Then on Saturday he completed a climb to the summit of Ben Nevis.

The hike to the top of Scotland’s highest mountain took was completed in poor visibility.   Reaching the summit took Robbie 3-and-a-half hours but the clouds cleared for descent, affording some spectacular views.

At the end of the challenge Robbie said: “I can’t believe the trek is done and that we smashed the original target for the Katharine House Hospice in memory of Jan. Had she been here she’d have probably been my driver and happily curled up with a book and some wine while I got rained on!

“But I think she’d be proud that the money raised can go to helping people with cancer and other life-limiting illnesses live life to the fullest, just like she did.

“A huge and emotional thank you to everyone who helped me plan, train, walk, climb and donated or shared Jan’s story with others.”

Robbie’s wife Jan passed away in 2019, two years to the day after receiving her breast cancer diagnosis.   She was just 34.  

If you wish to donate to Robbie’s fund-raising challenge you can do so here.

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Published: 13/09/2021 12:24pm by Banbury FM Newsteam

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