A Ferryhill man is raising money for his younger brother by climbing Ben Nevis, the highest point in the country, on New Year’s Eve.
Cameron Richmond is taking on the challenge to raise money for his younger brother Kyran, who has Juvenile Batten Disease. Cameron and his family believe that Kyran, who is 21, may be the only person in the North East with the disease.
“It is a genetic disease and my parents have both got the same gene, but it is really rare. I believe he is the only person in the North East with it. Kyran was diagnosed around 2011 and basically the disease eats away at the body and brain. His sight went first, he was actually diagnosed with a different type of disease, retinitis pigmentosa, a partially sighted disease. Since 2011 he has lost the ability to walk, his speech is really bad in that he can only say a few words. It pretty much takes everything away from him apart from his hearing.”
And Cameron, who is 25, explained why he is climbing Ben Nevis: “The reason why I am doing this is because over the last year he has had a really rough year. He has deteriorated quite a bit, and to be honest, I spent eight years in the Royal Navy, and I could never really do anything like this because I would never have the time to plan stuff and could get called out. So I left the Navy last year, and this is the first thing I am doing.
“Unfortunately, because of the disease he has an estimated lifespan of early teens to late 20s, and he is 21 now.”
(Image: Newcastle Chronicle)
Cameron regularly enjoys climbing and mountaineering, having climbed peaks in the Lake District such as Helvellyn. But he admitted he has not climbed anything like Ben Nevis, and he has never climbed in wintery conditions either.
“It is the highest point in the UK, Scottish weather on New Year’s Eve could be really good or really bad so I thought it would be one of the best challenges to do. It is something I enjoy doing as well, so I can try and make a good day out of it too.”
Cameron said he is expecting the climb to take him around six to seven hours, depending on the weather, with his friend, who is also from the Royal Navy.
(Image: Newcastle Chronicle)
“I have checked the route about four or five times. There are two routes and on the day, weather depending, there is one that is quite hard. If the weather conditions are too bad we will not be doing it because it is too dangerous.”
Cameron said that due to his love of climbing and mountaineering, as well as his military training where he had hike with military kit on his back, he is hoping the climb will not be too tough. “Touchwood should be relatively straightforward.
And Cameron explained funds raised will go towards helping Kyran with care, medical needs and creating memories with his family.
He is planning to start the climb with his friend at 6am on New Year’s Eve.
You can read more about Cameron and his younger brother Kyran, and also donate to his fundraiser, here.
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View news Source: https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/ferryhill-ben-nevis-climb-brother-30641587
