Skipton best friends conquer Ben Nevis to support pioneering cancer research in Yorkshire

Three best friends from Skipton have successfully climbed Ben Nevis, raising over £3,500 to help bring pioneering cancer research to people in Yorkshire.

Alongside his friends, Daniel and Troy, 25-year-old Lewis Whitaker decided to raise funds to support the vital work of Yorkshire Cancer Research after his dad was sadly diagnosed with terminal cancer last year.

Having previously completed the Yorkshire Three Peaks, Lewis and his friends wanted to take on an even bigger hiking challenge while making a difference to people affected by cancer in Yorkshire. They chose to climb Ben Nevis, the tallest mountain in the UK, with an elevation of 1,345m.

Lewis said: “The walk was very picturesque with waterfalls and great scenery, but it was also windy and wet, meaning the hike was slippery and quite challenging. The bad weather meant we didn’t get a great view at the top, but that didn’t matter. Reaching the top with my two best friends, who I don’t often see, made it all worth it. Life always gets in the way, but seeing my dad get so ill so quickly made me want to spend more time with the people I care about.”

Every week, 600 people in Yorkshire are told they have cancer, including 63 people a week in North Yorkshire. Yorkshire Cancer Research funds £64m of cancer research and services to find new ways to prevent, diagnose and treat cancer in the region.

Lewis said: “The support from our friends and family has been overwhelming. Thanks to their generosity, we smashed our fundraising target of £1,000 within 24 hours, and we’re thrilled to have raised over £3,500 in total. That’s a great amount of money to be going towards helping people with cancer in our region.”

Lewis’s dad has now stopped his cancer treatment and is no longer working in order to prioritise his health. He is now focused on spending meaningful time with his loved ones, including Lewis.

He concluded: “I’m very thankful for my partner Amy’s understanding during these difficult times, as sadly, she has also lost two grandads to cancer since Christmas. Cancer has become such a big part of all our lives. That’s why cancer research is so important - it’s the only way to improve cancer treatment. I hope one day there will be cures for cancer, so people won’t have to go through what my dad and Amy’s grandad are going through.”

Dr Kathryn Scott, Chief Executive at Yorkshire Cancer Research said: “Thanks to the dedication and generosity of people in communities across Yorkshire, Yorkshire Cancer Research can fund pioneering cancer research and innovative new services for people with cancer in the region. The money raised by Lewis and his friends will help cancer researchers and experts across the region find new ways to prevent, diagnose and treat cancer, supporting the charity’s vision for a Yorkshire free of cancer.”