TONY Wintle first climbed Mount Snowdon when he was in the Scouts. Now, aged 73, the veteran fundraiser has completed his fourth trek in aid of Marie Curie.

Tony, from Rawdon, raised more than £1,000 for the charity, which cares for and supports people with terminal illness, from his latest mission; spanning 10 miles of mountainous terrain.

Says Tony: “I first climbed Snowdon with the Senior Scouts when I was 16 and a little more sprightly, it sparked my interest in scenic walks and hill climbing. I did Snowdon again when my children were about seven and eight. In 2017 I saw an advert for the Marie Curie Snowdon Trek and just knew it was something I wanted to re-visit. As well as raising vital funds, it allowed me to explore the mountains with a team of mountain guides and the camaraderie of fellow trekkers.”

Tony took part in the Snowdon Night Trek in 2019 then Ben Nevis and Scafell Pike - completing all three in a year.

He started volunteering for Marie Curie in 2009, after spotting an ad for collecting funds in daffodil boxes. He joined Aireborough fundraising group, managing collection tins and supermarket collections.

“I’m a passionate supporter for Marie Curie, I’m a firm believer that anyone suffering a terminal illness should be able to spend their final days in their own home, with family and friends, supported by the caring profession,” says Tony, who has raised over £6,000 from annual festive fundraising pub crawls. “I would urge anyone with a bit of spare time to raise funds as charities such as Marie Curie are struggling so much in the pandemic. I would also like to praise all members of the Aireborough group for their hard work; organising fundraising events and persuading businesses to contribute goods or money.”

* Visit mariecurie.org.uk