A MAN his climbed one of the highest mountain in memory of his Taid with a special memento close to his heart - a Mr Men tie.

Saul Darlington has taken a trek to the top of the world’s highest free standing mountain, Kilimanjaro to raise funds for Nightingale House Hospice as a tribute to his Taid Norman Land, a former chairman of trustees.

Mr Land, of Gwersyllt, died in 2017 age 70.

He had a long career working at Wrexham Maelor council, Clwyd Council and the North Wales Police Authority, he served as chairman of trustees for Nightingale House for 10 years.

Born in Rhos, he grew up and spent most of his life there.

He was chairman of the Wrexham Allotment and Leisure Gardeners’ Association, as well as being heavily involved with Marchwiel Photographic Club and Mount Pleasant Baptist Church in Ponciau.

The Leader:

The late Norman Land

Mr Land was known for always dressing formally and would even spend time at his allotment in Price’s Lane gardening in a shirt and tie.

Recounting his trek, which he has just completed and for which he was in training for 12 months, grandson Saul said: “I love mountains and wanted to set myself a challenge.

"I found like-minded people willing to undertake the Kilimanjaro trek and decided to raise funds for Nightingale House as they've always been amazing when helping close friends and family in time of need.

"My Taid had always been very proactive with the hospice and I want to raise enough money to have a pebble in the hospice garden in his memory."

Saul took with him a very special memento with which he is photographed at the summit

He said: "Taid played a large part in my life and had always inspired me to live life to the full. He was renowned for dressing smartly and colourfully no matter what the occasion. For instance he used to go down to his allotment or go walking in a shirt and tie! For his funeral we all wore his colourful ties and the one I chose was his Mr Men one.

“When asked by Debbie (Barton) from Nightingale’s fundraising department if I had thought about taking anything to the top in his memory it didn't take me long to decide. Everyone who knew my Taid will make the connection between him and ties.

“I hope wherever he is, he’s looking down proudly and I hope to raise recognition for all the good things he has done for the community.”

He added: “After a four hour hike from Karanga to Barafu Camp we'd all been given just three hours to sleep before setting off for the summit at 11pm at night.

“The night hike consisted of five kilometres of 'pole pole' walking pace for almost ten hours. When passing the 5,000m mark the air was noticeably very thin and we had to take in one breath per step. Motion sickness, headaches and migraines were very common amongst the hikers.

“The views were incredible, with an African red sunrise filling the sky and a sea of cloud for miles. Once heading to summit I was walking slowly even by Kilimanjaro standards!

“We were a lucky group as we were able to take plenty of pictures on the top of the mountain and were given at least half an hour there. I made sure I kept my Nightingale House hat and t-shirt, and my Taid’s tie on show.”

Saul plans to continue his adventures. Next on his list is Toubkal and some unguided treks outside of the UK.

And as for charity challenges he plans to take part in the Welsh 3000s, summiting all 15 highest peaks in Wales within 24 hours.

Anyone who would like to contribute to his fund raising can do so at www.justgiving.com/fundraising/saul-darlington