Shona to walk mountains
A PRIMARY school teacher will take on the Welsh mountains to raise funds for a charity close to her heart.
Shona Whitaker, 25, from Llandudno, has set herself the Welsh 3000s Challenge to raise funds for St David’s Hospice in memory of her beloved mum.
Based in Llandudno, the he adult hospice provides palliative care e to those with advanced illnesses and in need of end-of-life care.
Sadly, Shona lost her mother, Marian Whitaker, to cancer on June ne 29 this year and has experienced first-hand the care at St David’s.
Shona explains: “Mum was a healthy, active and energetic lady who lived life to its fullest.
“In January 2018 she started to feel unwell and tired easily. What was soon diagnosed as jaundice then became gallbladder cancer and the worst news of all, terminal liver cancer.
“We were told she had weeks, possibly months left to live. “Just 16 months before this mum was trekking in Nepal and just seven months before she was on her annual trip to an orphanage in Uganda. This news was a huge shock. “Mum lost her battle with cancercancer justjust fourfourmmonths afterafter herher diagdiagnosis. ““II witnewitnessed the incredibincredibly tough battlebattle she had withwith cancer andand I have chchosen to dodo this chchallenge inin mmemory ofof her.” She concontinues: ““II am raisinraising money forfor StSt DDavid’s Hospice,Hospice, who providedmprovidedmum with weeklyweekly therapytherapy sessions involvinginvolving crafts,crafts, masmassages and lunch in addition to a medical assessment, all for free. “She said they treated her like a queen! “In her last few weeks, nurses visited her at home and she was given her own room at the hospice for her last two days, where she received amazing care by their attentive staff.
“I know this will be extremely difficult, both physically and emotionally, but, with the help of my partner and support of my family, I am passionate about achieving this goal.”
With her boyfriend Will Williams by her side, Shona aims to trek to the summit of all 15 of the mountains over 3000ft in Wales, all within the space of 24 hours.
They will cover over 30 miles on foot and ascend a total of 14,000ft including the Snowdon range, Carneddau and Glyderau.
The walk will take place in August and it has raised £1272.29 so far.