Former rugby player set to climb for charity

Former Cardiff Blues and Welsh international rugby player, Emyr Lewis will be climbing Mount Kilimanjaro to raise money for the Stepping Stones Appeal.

Emyr, 41 who is originally from Carmarthenshire will embark on an expedition to climb Mount Kilimanjaro as part of the Captain’s Climb team, which includes 15 ex-Welsh rugby captains who will climb the mountain over 12 days.

The brainchild of the welsh national team’s photographer Huw Evans, whose family was recently affected by cancer, the team is aiming to raise over £1 million for the Velindre Cancer Centre in Cardiff.

Standing as the fourth highest mountain in the world, Mount Kilimanjaro is Africa’s tallest mountain. The team will climb the mountain over 12 days, walking about six hours a day and on the last day the team will walk for 17 hours to reach the top.

On climbing the mountain, Emyr said: “I am delighted to be part of the Captain’s climb team, when Huw approached me about the challenge I signed up immediately. Undoubtedly, it will be one of the toughest challenges I have had to face both professionally and personally however I am looking forward to reaching the summit.

“Having seen the fantastic work the hospital has done firsthand I am hoping we can raise as much money as possible so more research can be carried out into lung cancer.”

Currently it is estimated that 38,000 people are diagnosed with lung cancer each year in Britain, eighty per cent of which will die within 12 months.

Continued Emyr: “Lung cancer is currently the biggest killer in Wales and the number of non-smokers being diagnosed each year is rising, Velindre provides fantastic support and specialist care for patients suffering from cancer. We are hoping this challenge will raise as much money as possible for the Stepping Stones appeal to support the centre and future research.”

As part of his fundraising, Emyr has been sponsored by Danwood Wales as he looks to reach a personal target of £2,000.

Divisional director of Danwood Wales Richard Corkhill said: “We are thrilled to be supporting and sponsoring Emyr as he takes on this challenge. Velindre is a charity which is close to all of our hearts and all the staff at DanWood Wales are supporting him. We wish all the team well as they embark on their ascent up the mountain to the summit and look forward to their safe return.”

Please visit www.justgiving.com/emyrlewiscaptainsclimb should you wish to support the climb.

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