7 May 2021 Community

Meet the Holmfirth man taking on a gruelling highlands challenge

73-year-old Keith Wilberforce has set himself an unenviable challenge to raise funds for The Kirkwood. This May, he’ll travel to the Scottish Highlands to complete a mammoth eight-day trek, covering almost 100 miles.

Retired couple, Keith and Helen Wilberforce are no strangers to The Kirkwood. Having settled in Holmfirth four years ago, they decided to do something to give back to the local community which had adopted them. Having supported charities throughout their life, they quickly got in touch with The Kirkwood to see if there were any volunteer roles available.

The couple were inspired by the culture, ethos and care provided for people affected by life limiting illnesses, both out in the community and on The Kirkwood’s In-Patient Unit,  particularly by the charity’s focus on wellbeing and how hard they work to make sure every patient is given the chance to live the best quality of life possible, for however long or short that may be.

Keith and Helen began to volunteer one day a week in the In-Patient Unit, helping to support The Kirkwood’s wellbeing initiatives and would go on to become ambassadors, giving talks locally to help raise awareness about the many ways the charity support local people affected by any life limiting illness. They also became Befrienders – supporting people who may be lonely or isolated and in need of a friendly ear.

 

The coronavirus pandemic put many of Keith and Helen’s volunteering duties on hold, and although they continue to help however they can, Keith has been itching to find other ways he could support The Kirkwood.

Keith said: “Clearly, over the last year we haven’t been able to visit the In-Patient Unit or meet people at home, so we have become Telephone Befrienders instead. But the coronavirus restrictions have done more than limit our involvement. They have had a huge impact on The Kirkwood’s income too.

“So when my son suggested that he and I might walk the West Highland Way together, I decided it would be an opportunity to help The Kirkwood in a small way.”

Keith will be taking on The West Highland Way this May, a 96 miles trek which the 73-year-old hopes to complete in just eight days alongside his son, John.

Starting just north of Glasgow, the West Highland Way winds its way to Fort William, skirting Loch Lomond and Ben Nevis en-route. It’s a picturesque trail, which Keith hopes will brighten his spirits when the going gets tough.

Keith knows what he’s letting himself in for and has preparing for the challenge since the turn of the year.

“I’ve managed to clock up 400 training miles, and ascended over 30,000 feet so far, walking locally during the last lockdown.

“30,000 feet sounds like an astonishing height to climb. It’s higher than Everest! But around here every walk involves walking up hills. Our regular walk into Holmfirth and back clocks up 130 feet alone.

“When I worked it out, I think that’s the equivalent of walking to Dover, crossing the channel and being south of Paris and heading towards Dijon by now. I’ve certainly been doing my best to prepare!”

“My experiences training for the walk have been many and varied. I’ve walked to Woodhead Pass, Denby Dale and a wonderful cross country walk to Slaithwaite.

 

“And the weather has certainly been interesting this winter. From a close  encounter with a snowplough above Holmfirth Vineyard to a glorious spring riverside walk surrounded by a symphony of birdsong.

“It’s hard work but rewarding,” says Keith.

Keith, who will turn 74 during his walk, knows that walking the West Highland Way will present a big challenge. He hopes the training he’s put in will get him through.

He said: “I’ve learnt a lot during my training. I now walk more slowly and ‘hold’ myself differently to avoid back and leg pain. But my biggest problem has been between my ears! I am slightly daunted by the prospect of averaging 12 and a half miles a day for eight successive days, knowing how exhausted I have felt at the end of shorter walks. I’ll be putting myself through it that’s for sure.

“En-route I shall be celebrating my 74th birthday, so I hope you will take pity and consider sponsoring me. It’s all for a great cause!”

If you’d like to support Keith in his challenge, visit his JustGiving page by clicking here.