Sponsoring Kilimanjaro Trek

Meilyr a step closer to trek Mount Kilimanjaro thanks to Dragon Cheese

Meilyr Williams, a young 19-year old farmer from Conwy is a step closer in his quest to trek Mount Kilimanjaro in aid of mental health charity MIND following sponsorship from South Caernarfon Creameries Dragon cheesemakers. Meilyr is preparing to trek to the highest point in Africa in a bid to raise awareness of mental health issues in the farming and rural economy.

So far Meilyr has raised £1000 and a £250 donation from SCC has boosted the fund to help him with his mission. The Kilimanjaro trek is expected to last 12 days and involve around nine days of walking. It is scheduled to go ahead in August or September 2020, but this may have to be postponed pending COVID-19 pandemic.

Rising from the savannah at 5,895m above sea level in Tanzania, Mount Kilimanjaro is a dormant volcano and its snow caped summit is the highest point in Africa. Meilyr has been told he needs to be determined and resilient to face the sub-zero temperatures and very thin air of the mountain peak on this tough challenge.

The former Ysgol Dyffryn Conwy pupil who went to Eglwysbach primary school is currently in the first year of a three-year degree studying Football business and media at the University Campus of Football Business (UCFB) in Manchester. Meilyr is taking on the challenge with a group from University and has been training for the challenge by going on regular walks including the three Peaks in the Yorkshire Dales and hiking Snowdon, as well as work outs in the gym and cycling

Meilyr’s family run the Ty Gwyn farm in Conwy where they have 500 sheep and a herd of beef cattle. He said, “I want to raise awareness of mental health in the rural community. Mental health is a big issue generally because of the financial worries people face. Farming and rural lifestyle can be very hard with physically demanding work and lonely. I think it’s good for people to know that there is support from organisations such as MIND out there if they need it.”

This is a huge challenge for Meilyr and SCC is very pleased to be able to support someone from the local farming community and a fantastic cause like MIND charity as well as raise awareness of mental health support that is out there for people.