A MOUNTAIN guide from Bangor will be raising money for Llanberis Mountain Rescue Team when he leads a litter pick across Snowdonia in December.
Dave Jones, who runs ‘Exploring Snowdonia and North Wales’, which provides days out, hikes, explorations and more across the area, will be taking part in the Christmas clean-up on Saturday, December 4.
Similar litter picks will also be taking place at Scafell Pike in Cumbria and in the Peak District, led by fellow hiking enthusiasts Dave is friends with.
Dave already litter-picks regularly across Snowdonia, an area he has a particularly strong affinity with since he lost his mother four years ago.
He said: “The mountains pulled me through grief and a lot of mental depression.
“My love for the mountains started four years ago after my mother passed away; it’s only then I climbed my first mountain, Snowdon, finding at the summit the words on a plaque: 'Here, you are nearer to heaven.'
“This year, with the help of the Llanberis Mountain Rescue Team, I gained the qualifications and set up my business (Exploring Snowdonia and North Wales) as a qualified guide in the mountains.
“Since then, I have been working with ex-military charities that house homeless servicemen, volunteering to taking them out as part of my hikes for mental health.
“I really want to give back the help I have received from everyone and everything over the past few years.”
Dave, who will be joined on his clean-up of Snowdonia on December 4 by his friend, Mark McMillan, said it was easy to choose Llanberis Mountain Rescue Team as the recipient of their donations, given the invaluable job he knows that the team carries out.
He added: “The response has been overwhelming with the offers of help; we've decided to donate all profits to Llanberis Mountain Rescue Team as the job they do all year round on the world's busiest peak is essential.
“We have so much love for what they do.
“The litter problem has always been an issue, but rather than moan, we thought lead by example and set out on a big clean-up campaign.
“It's all to inspire people not to moan about the litter, but to get a bag and get out there with us and make a difference.”
To donate to Dave’s cause, visit: www.gofundme.com/f/the-great-big-christmas-clean-up.
You can find out more about Exploring Snowdonia and North Wales at: www.facebook.com/ExploringNorthWales.
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