AN 11-YEAR old boy recently conquered Snowdon in aid of a charity close to his family’s heart.
Nathan Jones, from Valley, took on the gruelling challenge in aid of Holyhead Stroke Group, along with the support of his mother Lisa Bates, step-father Anthony Bates and grandfather Vernon Williams.
The family have all been involved in fundraising for the charity since the death of Nathan’s great-grandmother Brenda Lloyd in 2001, after she suffered a stroke.
They have generated thousands of pounds over the last ten years, including more than £1,000 raised by Nathan’s uncle, Richard Williams, who ran the London Marathon in 2004.
Mrs Bates said: “It was a tough time for the family, because it was really quick and unexpected. It was only a week from when she was ill when she passed away. We’ve been raising money for local stroke charities ever since really.”
“Nathan wanted to do something for the charity, and he wanted to climb Snowdon as well, so I suggested he’d do the climb for charity.”
The youngster encountered blustery and misty conditions on the mountain, but managed to complete the 3560ft ascent in three and a half hours.
The Ysgol Uwchradd Caergybi pupil took his time on the way down, completing the mammoth task in a total of eight hours. He raised more than £200.
Mrs Bates added: “It was a bit of an adrenaline rush, with the wind making it quite scary.
“He’s climbed up Holyhead Mountain before, but this was a bit different! It was really hard work for him and he struggled in parts. He felt very stiff the next day, but we can’t tell you how proud we are of him.”