ROCKING IN THE RAIN
Snowdon Rocks another success
THREE-TIME cancer survivor and rock star Mike Peters led a procession of fans on an annual sponsored walk to the summit of Snowdon.
The Dyserth-born Alarm frontman was joined by his wife Jules, herself fighting cancer, and their sons Evan and Dylan for the five mile walk from Llanberis to the summit.
It was the eleventh Snowdon Rocks Festival that also saw more than 2,000 people descend on The Heights in Llanberis over two days.
On reaching Wales’ highest point on Saturday, Mike performed a very special acoustic set – climaxing in The Alarm anthem, Love, Hope and Strength.
Mike has been organising the Snowdon Rocks event for more than a decade but the weekend hike saw the culmination of a 10-day epic 130+ mile ‘By Your Side’ walk across North Wales.
He began walking at Wrexham Maelor Hospital and ended the walk on Friday when he visited Ysbyty Gwynedd, Bangor.
Snowdon Rocks started with a song from Mike at the Penceunant cafe at the foot of the Llanberis path before they set off for the summit with a musical stop along the way at the Halfway cafe.
Mike told our sister paper the Daily Post he felt quite emotional as he reached the summit.
“After the 12 months we’ve had, Jules’ journey through breast cancer started here on Snowdon a year ago so to be able to climb back again is an incredible testament to Jules’ courage and the health care system across North Wales,” he said.
“We’re very grateful for the life we have.”
Mike said the walk from Wrexham across North Wales had been a “challenge”.
Jules added: “I’m feeling great. This has been a very emotional day for me with family, friends and Alarm fans all together on the walk.”
Mike was diagnosed and successfully treated for chronic lymphocytic leukaemia in 2005/06. But just days after the 2015 Snowdon Rocks he went to Ysbyty Gwynedd, Bangor for a routine check-up, and doctors found the disease had returned for a third time.
Last year’s event featured in a television documentary and during the walk a conversation took place between Jules Peters and TV producer Emyr Afan.
Mike said: “Emyr impressed on Jules the importance of testing yourself and Jules said, ‘of course I test myself’. But Emyr insisted and said no, really go deep – really test yourself deeply. It was the next morning that Jules found the lump on her breast.
“If Emyr hadn’t made the film – if he hadn’t given Jules that advice that day – it might have been undetected for another year, I might not have a wife now, and our sons Dylan and Evan might not have a mother.”
The Christians and Mike himself headlined at The Heights on Saturday while Britain’s Got Talent final- ists Cor Glanaethwy stole the show on Sunday.
Families mingled with celebrities as Gaz ‘Top’ Jones compered a varied bill which even included Mike and Jules’ sons Dylan and Evan with their band OCD.
“It’s been a wonderful weekend,” said Jules. “The response from the public has been absolutely amazing and it’s been such a lovely atmosphere.”
She also revealed there will be little respite for the family over the coming months.
“We’ve got a 45-gig tour of The States after this, so there won’t be much rest, but we’ve raised lots of money for the charities and just as importantly raised vital awareness about cancer.
“We would just like to thank The Heights, everyone who volunteered and the acts for making it such an incredible experience.”
The Christians took to the main stage to play an acoustic set, with classics like Hooverville and Forgotten Town producing some memorable audience moments.
Garry Christian, the only remaining member of the original line-up, said he couldn’t resist making his first Snowdon Rocks appearance.
“As you know I lost my brother Roger to a brain tumour in 1998, so when Mike gave us the call we jumped at it,” he said.
“Cancer is something that touches everyone in some way, so yeah it’s great to be here and support the event.”
The money raised will help buy new equipment for the hospitals.