Bid to scale summit for friend

Ruskington man Matthew Welsh is taking on Scafell Pike this weekend, in memory of family friend Phil Bowcock

Matt Welsh will be joined this weekend by his dad Andrew Welsh and friend Paula Bowcock, whose husband Phil died last year.

Paula said: “Phil was diagnosed with metastatic bone cancer in November, 2013.

“The cancer started in his prostate but had already spread to his bones and he was unfortunately advised the cancer was temrinal.”

According to Paula, 2014 was a good year for Phil, but in 2015 his condition deteriorated, with Phil spending a lot of time in Thorpe Hall Hospice in Peterborough.

Phil was discharged in September, 2015, but sadly passed away at home, aged 64, on November 6, 2015.

Paula stresses that a lot of men can develop prostate cancer, but it is not always diagnosed in time, which was the case for Phil.

The group decided the best way to honour Phil was a charity walk in his memory, with funds going to Marie Curie Cancer Care.

Paula said: “As Phil liked walking, the Scafell Pike challenge was chosen to give something back for all the hard work the nurses and carers do.”

Matt has experience walking the conditions the group will experience at Scafell Pike and feels prepared for their excursion this weekend, saying: “What a perfect ceremonious event to honour him.”

He said: “I am feeling very excited about the challenge ahead, and very proud and thankful that so many people have supported not only ourselves, but the charity, too.

“I am just hoping the weather holds out.”

Paula added: “I’m looking forward to the challenge, and hope it won’t be too hot on the day.”

The group have been fundraising for the challenge since the beginning of August and are making fantastic progress with donations coming in thick and fast.

Paula has raised £527 on her JustGiving page with donations from family and friends, smashing her target of £250.

Matt is raising money via JustGiving, and with a donation of £250 from Per Aarsleff UK Ltd, where he works as a trainee contract engineer, his target of £200 has been surpassed, and is now reaching £360.

Matt said: “So far, as a collective effort we have raised nearly £1,000. However the aim is to surpass this and raise as much as we can.”

You can donate to Paula at: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/PaulaBowcock or Matt at: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Matt- Welsh4.