Jason climbs to charity peak in tribute to son
ADAD is attempting what he calls the ‘hardest thing he has ever done’ by climbing Mount Kilimanjaro - to raise money for a charity set up in memory of his son.
Jack’s Club - a weekly meet, currently ran online, which bonds young adults in Haslingden - was Jason Milburn’s idea, after he received the tragic news that his son, 20-year-old Jack, had taken his own life.
Jason said: “I will wear one of Jack’s shirts as I reach the top of the mountain so he will be there with me when I reach the top.”
Jason said he would need to lose a few pounds to fit in one of his son’s shirts - and he has already been gearing up to get into solid shape for the huge task that lays ahead, raising money for the special club to continue.
He said: “All the money raised will go into the club, helping us to secure the club’s future for a good number of years, enabling us to continue to support all the young people in our community and allowing us to fund premises, activities and any future events we have.
“Before the dreaded Covid, Jack’s Club met every other Wednesday at my local cricket club where we played pool, board games and just chatted about anything - not necessarily anything to do with how they were feeling, but if they wanted to talk about that I would go and sit down with them and we would just talk.
“What I do now is a live stream on Facebook once a month where anybody can come on and listen and ask any questions they have about the club, Jack, or myself and my family. I always tell everyone my inbox is always open and I do receive lots of messages just saying thank you and some who just want someone to speak to.”
Jason, encouraged by his wife Kathryn and daughter Sophie, will undertake the climb in September this year, just before he hits the big 50.
All proceeds of the fundraising venture will go back to getting Jack’s Club up and running again, helping those of a younger age who might need it during these particularly troubling times.
Jason, who hopes to raise £5,000 via his Gofundme page, added: “The idea was my own - I asked my stepbrother who has done it what it was like and so I decided that I’m going to do it. I’m completely overwhelmed by the response to the petition after only three days, people are just so generous.
“The mountain stands at 5,895 metres or 19,340 feet. The climb itself to the summit takes approximately four and a half days and I know that this will be a massive challenge for me both mentally and physically and I am under no illusion that this will be the hardest thing I have ever taken on in my life but I know it will be worth it.
“Everybody has been so supportive of what we are trying to achieve with Jack’s Club, whether that is in the form of fundraising or just being there for us, you have no idea what a massive difference you have all made either practically or emotionally over the last 20 months.
“I now feel strong enough to step up to the plate and raise some money for the club by taking myself massively out of my comfort zone for something that means so much to me, Kathryn and Sophie.”
Donations can be made by searching for ‘Jacks Club’ on gofundme.com and following links.