FOUR adventurers from Flint climbed one of the world’s seven summits in aid of a local charity that supports teens and young adults with cancer.
Shaun England, his daughter Joanna Turner, her husband Jamie Turner and family friend Katie Kelly placed the “Giddo’s Gift” flag on the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania in June after a grueling four-and-a-half-day trek.
The four from Flint raised a total of £3,300 for Giddo’s Gift – a charity founded in 2018 by local nurse Mandy Giddins following the death of her son Jordan Giddins in 2017.
Jordan underwent intensive treatment, which included chemotherapy, inpatient stays at Alder Hey and Ysbyty Glan Clwyd, and a bone marrow transplant from his sister Beth. Jordan, also known as “Giddo,” died at the age of 18 from Ewing’s sarcoma, a childhood bone cancer.
The family remembers that “Giddo” had a gift – making people smile. The charity, which provides gifts, grants and well-wishes to children and young adults with cancer, was founded to honor Jordan’s selflessness and keep his memory alive.
Shaun, a family friend from Flint, wanted to combine the adventure of a lifetime that was on his bucket list with an accomplishment that would bring joy to others less fortunate.
He said: “Climbing Kilimanjaro was everything we imagined it would be. It was the most physically and mentally challenging thing I have ever done. We had tears in our eyes when we reached the top. It was very emotional to raise the Giddo’s Poison flag at the summit. But we kept thinking about why we are doing this and that put things in perspective.”
The total amount raised, which includes a £400 donation from Shaun’s employer Essity, £400 from his colleagues, £100 from the Royal British Legion in Flint, £350 from a close friend’s grocery shop at Tir Prince market, as well as many more generous donations from the community, will help the charity to continue its mission to improve the lives of young cancer patients in the North West and North Wales.
The four fundraisers returned with “memories for life” while raising money for a “fantastic local cause”. Shaun said the forest views on the Machame Trail in the first few days were incredible, followed by a snow-capped summit on the fifth day of the walk. He said: “We were disappointed because we couldn’t see as much of the summit as we would have liked as there was a blizzard going on, but pictures from the previous day showed it was a beautiful day. It shows how often the weather can change there and that you really are battling the elements.”
The trip also showed 62-year-old Shaun that anything is possible if you put your mind to it, no matter what age you are. He said: “I’m in my 60s and like to think of myself as pretty fit. And fitness-wise, it was easy, even the long walks. What made it difficult was the altitude sickness, loss of appetite and lack of sleep. I didn’t sleep properly for two days during the climb – luckily I work shifts!”
Shaun added that the success of the trip was down to teamwork, the support of good local guides and plenty of snacks. Despite the day and a half descent being “brutal on the knees” and despite the “60 or so mosquito bites” from their well-earned beach holiday in Zanzibar after the trek, the challenge was the “achievement of a lifetime and all for a good cause”.
He added: “Would I do it again? No. But I want to thank everyone who sponsored us and helped us reach an incredible amount that has blown us away. Thank you. It’s incredible.”
Mandy Giddins BEM said: “What Shaun and the team have achieved is incredible. We are truly grateful for their support and commitment. The famous Kilimanjaro flag now hangs in the office as a reminder of how far our wonderful supporters go to raise money for a cause so close to our hearts. Thank you Shaun, Joanna, Jamie and Katie.”
