Scaling the heights in charity efforts...

SNOWDONIA here we come . . . The UCrew walkers including Alan Keane (front, fourth left) Jo and Jeff Taylor (back left) with children Regan and Faron, Euey Madden (centre) and Estelle Brooks (back, fifth left)

WALKERS will scale new heights as they take on Mount Snowdon for charity tomorrow, despite many having their own health problems.

Oldham group the UCrew has already smashed its £1,000 target to help support individuals and families affected by multiple sclerosis (MS).

The team of about 20 people, predominantly from the Oldham area, will be led to Snowdon's summit at 3,560ft by Alan Keane (54) from Saddleworth health and wellbeing company UProject.

Alan said: "This is a very determined group of people representing the borough of Oldham, tackling health issues and raising money for a great cause.

"Along with one walker Euey, who lives day to day with MS, our other walkers have also had MS touch their lives in some way. We're doing this for those now living with MS and those who have sadly passed away."

Many of the participants have health issues such as cancer, heart disease or weight problems, adding an extra level of personal challenge.

Euey Madden (48), who has MS, has spearheaded the walk in aid of the MS Society.

The condition is unpredictable condition and affects more than 100,000 people in the UK. It's different for everyone, but is often painful and exhausting and can cause problems with mobility, sight, thought and touch.

Euey launched Oldham's health-walk scheme Let's Go For A Walk with support from UProjects in efforts to get more active and take control of his health.

He said: "This is a huge challenge for me and my fellow walkers. We are committed to completing the full ascent and descent of Mount Snowdon, with the support of our fantastic guides from UProjects.

"It'll be a great achievement and I'm looking forward to raising a nice sum of money for the MS Society."

He will been joined by 46-year-old Estelle Brooks who is grateful to UProject for helping her venture back into social circles after a difficult period of grief.

Estelle, from Springhead, said: "I'm feeling quite proud of myself for taking on Snowdon because I was sofa-bound for quite some time.

"My sister passed away in November 2015. I got married in 2016 and it was all systems go, but after that everything hit me. I couldn't even leave the house.

"I began going walking with UProject once a week. It was really hard at first, but it kept my spirits up during the winter.

"The social side of it was brilliant as well. I realised I wasn't on my own."

Estelle has been attending UProject for one year, and, with husband Mick, has been training for the climb using the "fast-paced, strenuous" Nordic walking technique.

The teaching assistant at New Bridge School, Failsworth, added: "We really want to support the charity. It is a bit of a personal challenge and something I have never really done before."

Also taking part in the Snowdon challenge is Diggle mum Jo Taylor who is no stranger to fundraising. Jo, who has terminal breast cancer, will hike up Snowdon with husband Jeff and their children Regan (13) and Faron (10).

The team have so far raised £1,247 for the MS Society, to drive research into new treatments.

Simon Moran, MS Society area fundraiser, said: "We're incredibly grateful to Alan, Euey and the rest of the UCrew team for conquering the highest mountain in Wales. "Their generous donation will help fund innovative MS research and help provide support to more than 100,000 people living with the condition in the UK."

To sponsor the team visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/snownonchallenge.