Mayor meets mountaineering fundraiser after 20 Peaks challenge

Councillor Andrea Goddard welcomed Steve Waltho MBE, a long-time charity campaigner, alderman of the borough and former Mayor of Dudley, to the Mayor’s parlour to accept a donation of £1,000 on behalf of her chosen charities.

Mr Waltho recently completed a sponsored challenge to climb 20 of the famous Wainwright Lake District Peaks. Over several days, he walked a total of 65 miles climbing a total of 16,000 feet. His youngest son Joe joined him to climb the mighty Helvellyn, which is the third highest peak in England at 3,100 feet.

His efforts raised £2,000 for good causes, with half going to Access in Dudley, a charity which works to improve disabled people’s access to buildings, parks, services, and information in Dudley borough. The organisation’s chair Tina Boothroyd and treasurer Anne Nicholls were present to accept their cheque.

The other half of the funds were donated to Dudley Community First Responders, Prostate Cancer UK, Mary Stevens Hospice, and Up and Downs, all of which the Mayor has supported during her term in office.

Two residents from the Broad Meadow assisted living community in Dudley were presented with certificates by the Mayor after playing an integral part in the fundraising efforts.

Steve’s brother-in-law Neil Holt, who lives with learning difficulties, rallied fellow residents to support the appeal to the tune of more than £200. Steve’s cousin Anthea Smith contributed £500 to the fundraising through the Walker-Smith Foundation, a charitable fund set up in memory of Morris Walker, her late partner of over 50 years.

Councillor Andrea Goddard, the Mayor of Dudley, said:

I was delighted to receive Steve’s donation to my mayoral charities and meet two of the kind-hearted residents from Broad Meadow who have done so much to support his appeal.

As a former Mayor of Dudley himself, Steve is a tireless fundraiser and supporter of good causes, and I was proud to learn of his achievements in taking on the highest peaks of the Lake District. I know he really relished the challenge.

The council works closely with Access in Dudley to make our borough a better, more inclusive place for people with disabilities and I’m very happy to hear that they will also be receiving some much-needed support.

Alderman Steve Waltho MBE said:

Access in Dudley do wonderful work in the borough with a small number of activists on a shoestring budget. As honorary patron, it was a pleasure to support their efforts and we’re constantly on the look-out for new members.

Two of the Mayor’s charities are very close to my heart. As a trustee on the board of Mary Stevens Hospice, I’m constantly aware of the magnificent work of this wonderful charity, and as a prostate cancer survivor, I know all too well of the invaluable, life-saving work done by Prostate Cancer UK.

On that note, I’d also like to publicly thank The Gentlemen Songsters Male Voice Choir, of which I'm a member, for their significant contribution and support alongside all other sponsors.

Finally, I’d also like to offer a personal thank you to the Mayor of Dudley for her hospitality and kindness in a very busy schedule.

My elderly legs are now returning to normal and I've now managed 198 of the 214 Wainwright peaks. Watch this space for a possible future grand finale!

More information on the Mayor of Dudley’s charities is available on the mayoral website at www.mayorofdudley.org.uk.