69-year-old carer completes 1000th climb of Lake District fell for wife's hospice

Pensioner Steve Hartley, aged 69, vowed to climb a Lake District fell 1,000 times for the hospice that helped care for his wife who has Multiple Sclerosis (MS) - and he's spent almost 10 years doing it.

Steve Hartley has been climbing the 2,350ft Carrock Fell in the Lake District for nine and a half years (having started in 2013) after setting a goal of climbing it 100 times each year. That’s the equivalent of climbing Mount Everest from sea level five times a year.

Mr Hartley is a full-time carer for his wife Jan and finally completed his 1,000th ascent on 5 September to raise money for Eden Valley Hospice. The hospice has supported his wife as part of the charity’s day services.

After finishing his 1,000th climb, Steve Hartley wrote on his Just Giving page: ‘Mission accomplished today in wonderful weather despite dire forecasts of rain and thunderstorms. I was joined by son Tom, brother-in-law Mike and his step son Joel for this 1000th ascent.

‘Also a lovely select group at the bottom of the Fell to greet us back including friends and folk from Eden Valley Hospice.’

Eden Valley Hospice must raise more than £3m each year to provide services to people with life-limiting illnesses as well as their families. Mr Hartley set up a Just Giving page which has raised to date (6 September) more than £6,000.

Wife Jan is 'largely housebound'

Mr and Mrs Hartley used to enjoy hill walking together until her condition worsened and took away some of her physical abilities.

Steve Hartley said: “I am a full time carer for my wife, Jan, who has severe Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and is largely house-bound.

“The role takes up most of my time and we have been supported in the past by the Eden Valley Hospice which has provided day care for many years and has also provided occasional respite breaks for me. The Covid pandemic has had a major impact on the hospice.

“Its services have needed to be cut back, its ability to raise funds has been curtailed, but it's essential services have continued: to provide a caring and supportive environment for those with life limiting diseases and their families.”

The retired land surveyor chose Carrock Fell because it is near to his home and ensures his climbs do not disrupt Jan’s care for very long.

'Difficult times of inflation' but local issues 'need to be supported'

Mr Hartley added: "I know that, at these difficult times of inflation, European wars, refugee crises and now Pakistani floods, etc that there are ongoing demands for charitable funding and that the Hospice is small fry in comparison with, for example, the Ukrainian catastrophe. But local issues matter and need to be supported to provide invaluable support to the population of north Cumbria."

In a Facebook post on 6 September, Eden Valley Hospice praised Mr Hartley for his impressive feat. Eden Valley Hospice stated: ‘A huge thank you to Steve who yesterday completed his 1,000th ascent of Carrock Fell, a truly remarkable achievement.

'The funds raised from Steve's challenge will go such a long way to providing care to the local people and families across Cumbria at a time when they need it most.'

To support Steve Hartley via his Just Giving page visit: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/steve-hartley-carrock-challenge