
Childhood best friends from Powys aim to conquer Kilimanjaro
Kevin Percy and Tom Bradley, both from Llandrindod Wells, are trying to raise funds for the hospice that cared for Kev's father, Mark, in his final days.
Mark, 64, received great care from St Michael's Hospice in Hereford towards the end of his life, and Kev and Tom will now take on the highest mountain in Africa and the highest free-standing mountain in the world, in October.
'I am participating in the 'Conquer Kilimanjaro ' trek to raise funds for St Michael's Hospice in memory of a dear friend, Mark Percy,' said Tom in an emotional post about the challenge on his JustGiving fundraising page.
'The hospice provided compassionate care to Mark during his final days and I am deeply grateful for the support they offered.'
Not only are Tom, 41, and Kev, 40, lifelong best friends, but Kev was best man at Tom's wedding recently. Tom also lived with Kev and Mark throughout much of his childhood.
'Joining me on this journey is my best man, Kev, and together we are embracing this new challenge with enthusiasm and determination,' added Tom.
'Our goal is to raise £5,000 for the hospice and I am reaching out to businesses that may be interested in sponsoring our trek by having their logo featured on our gear.
'Your support will make a meaningful difference in the lives of those who rely on St Michael's Hospice for care and comfort.'
Tom and Kev will be climbing Kilimanjaro, which is a large dormant volcano in Tanzania, starting on October 16.
It is set to be an 8-day hike up to Kilimanjaro's highest peak, Uhuru Peak, which stands at an elevation of 5,895 meters (19,341 feet) above sea level.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Scottish Sun
a day ago
- Scottish Sun
Brit teen told mum ‘I'm sorry, goodbye' before collapsing in her arms during fatal allergic reaction on dream hols
A BRITISH teenager told her mum "I'm sorry" after collapsing in her arms from a severe allergic reaction on holiday. Lily King, 18, from Buckinghamshire, tragically died after eating a carrot in a meal to celebrate top grades in her first year at Exeter University while on holiday in Morocco. Advertisement 7 Lily King died from fatal Anaphylaxsis shock on holiday Credit: JustGiving 7 Lily King with her mum Aicha, who were on holiday in Morocco when Lily died Credit: JustGiving 7 Lily was just 18 when she died Credit: gofundme The student was diagnosed with severe allergies to fish and seafood, nuts, sesame, milk and eggs when she was two-and-a-half – and her mum Aicha had packed a whole suitcase of safe supplies. While Lily's childhood had been dominated her allergies - along with eczema and asthma - she hadn't ever needed hospital treatment until five months prior to the holiday. She had bought a burger at a music festival in Exeter and suffered anaphylaxis – the most extreme allergic reaction, where rapid swelling in the throat and tongue cause breathing difficulties and sometimes cardiac arrest. Then, on the last night of their holiday last year, Lily discovered that she had received a first for her first-year exams and wanted to celebrate - so the pair decided to go out for a meal. Advertisement read more in world news FIND MICHELE Cops probe 'sighting' of Brit who vanished from sunbed as search area expands It was somewhere they had eaten before, including for Lily's 18th, and they were confident that it would pass without hitch. Upon arrival, Aicha, who is Moroccan and speaks Arabic, gave staff repeated clear instructions about her daughter's allergies. Lily herself even said in Arabic: "I don't want to be killed," Aicha told the Mail. But when the food arrived, it came with vegetables and a sauce they hadn't asked for. Advertisement Lily put a small piece of carrot into her mouth, saying: "Don't be silly mum, it's just a carrot," but her tongue instantly felt itchy. She took an antihistamine and went to the bathroom, then used her EpiPen and went outside for some air. Megan McKenna blasted the Prime Minister today for 'abandoning' a vow to create an 'allergies tsar' After just 15 minutes, Lily was struggling to breathe. She used her second EpiPen and Aicha called an ambulance. Now desperate, the mum ran back into the restaurant to grab her bag of money and passports but, agonisingly, the waiter wasted vital minutes by insisting she paid the bill. Advertisement When she got outside again, Lily was gasping for air and slipping out of consciousness. According to the Daily Mail, she collapsed into her mum's arms and said: "You know Mum, I love you. I'm sorry. Goodbye." With the ambulance nowhere to be seen, Lily's cousins bundled her into their car and rushed to the hospital – but she stopped breathing on the way. 7 Lily wanted to go out for the meal after finding out she had earned a first in the first-year uni exams Credit: Facebook Advertisement 7 Lily's family want to raise awareness about the dangers of travelling abroad with allergies Credit: gofundme 7 Lily was eating at Maya Restaurant and Lounge, Rabat, in Morocco when her throat began to itch Credit: instagram Medics performed CPR but refused to begin further treatment until Lily's mum had written a check - further stalling the process. The desperately ill teen was eventually put on life support - but with no brain activity doctors were forced to switch it off three days later. Advertisement It was found that she had already suffered a heart attack and a catatonic fit, which rendered her brain dead, before being hooked up to the machine. Reflecting on the terrible ordeal, Aicha said: "Neither the waiter nor any of the doctors spoke English. "Without Arabic, it would have been impossible to make myself understood. "It is my mother tongue and yet I still couldn't get the care Lily needed." Advertisement A JustGiving page set up to raise funds for Natasha Allergy Research Foundation has racked up nearly £9,000 in donations.


Daily Record
2 days ago
- Daily Record
One Big Thank You 2025 raises thousands of pounds for Dumfries and Galloway's healthcare heroes
Jim McLelland spent 12 hours walking, running and jogging round Lochside Park in Castle Douglas on Sunday. Jim McLelland covered more than 30 miles on Saturday – without leaving a Castle Douglas park. And in the process, he's raised thousands of pounds for Dumfries and Galloway's healthcare heroes. The popular widower from Crossmichael held his One Big Thank You in Lochside Park once again, walking, running and jogging for 12 hours straight. He took on the task to replicate what staff at DGRI have to do in the space of a shift, raising money to be split between the Alexandra Unit at DGRI and staff support. Son Jay and pals Jane and David Whitelaw joined him for his 12 hour endurance challenge, with music, food stalls and other stands adding to the festival atmosphere. Jim, 72, said: 'I managed to do an extra mile this year, I got to 34.5 this year 'It was a good day, we had a bit of fun. You can't do any more than you can do. 'My son and Jane and David walked the whole distance with me. It was really enjoyable and they seemed to enjoy it too and hopefully they'll be up for it again next year. 'It's our hospital and we've got to do what we can for it. It belongs to every single one of us who lives in the region. 'If they want a hospital and don't want to complain too much about it, they've got to do something about it themselves.' Jim, well known as the organiser of the Dee Dip at Crossmichael and former publican at the village's Thistle Inn, started his fundraising last year in tribute to wife Ruth, who died at DGRI's Alexandra Unit in 2023. His first wife, Diane, died in the unit at the old hospital in 1994. Last year he raised more than £26,000 and he is still hoping to meet his ultimate goal of £100,000, with plans already being made for next year. He said: 'It's our 40th year of the Dee Dip next year and I'm trying to get people to get sponsorship sheets and do it for One Big Thank You so we can start the New Year with a big bang, then organise smaller events as we get through to the finale. 'I'm trying to get people to do a traybake, karaoke or a bingo night so they can put in money. 'We don't have a treasurer, chairman or secretary. You just put your money into the JustGiving page.' Donations can still be made online at JustGiving.

Western Telegraph
3 days ago
- Western Telegraph
Brothers raise more than £4,000 for Alzheimer's Research UK
Rhodri and Gethin Poacher walked the entire Pembrokeshire Coast Path to support Alzheimer's Research UK, honouring their grandmother who has lived with the disease since 2021. Gethin Poacher said: "We walked for our granny. For all of those whose memories are slipping away. For the families, like ours, who care for them, and for the researchers working tirelessly for a cure. "We're blown away by the generosity and support we've received along the way." Their journey, which began in Amroth and ended in St Dogmaels, included more than 11,000 metres of elevation gain—the equivalent of scaling Mount Everest. Along the way, they passed more than 50 beaches, camped under the stars, and took dips in the sea. Rhodri Poacher said: "It's been the toughest thing we've ever done, both physically and mentally, but also one of the most meaningful. "We have witnessed all that Pembrokeshire has to offer, growing our family connection to the path and honouring the work of our grandad in preserving its beauty and sustainability. "During our journey we met so many wonderful people and have been reminded of the strength of community." Their JustGiving page has raised £4,045 so far, with donations coming from across the UK and beyond. The funds will support Alzheimer's Research UK's efforts to improve the understanding, diagnosis, treatment, and eventual cure of Alzheimer's disease. The brothers' challenge also gained attention on social media, helping them surpass their fundraising target. To support their cause, visit their Just Giving page.