2:32pm Thursday 11th June 2009
By Mark Bowen
THE golden sand of the Sinai desert proved to be a tough challenge for a determined Golden Valley pensioner intent on raising money for good causes.
Keith Bladon, a 76-year-old from Blakemere, completed a five-day trek across the Egyptian desert to raise money for cancer charities and kept going even when the going got tough.
“I expected the terrain to be extremely rugged, and it was, in a stunningly beautiful and awe-inspiring way. I think we were all overwhelmed by its magnificence,” said Mr Bladon.
“But this made for numerous steep climbs and equally precipitous descents as we progressed from one deep valley to the next.
“Those who suffered from vertigo had a torrid time. On one occasion we even abseiled into a deep and incredibly narrow canyon.”
Mr Bladon said that there was a spirit of adventure and a determination to complete the walk.
“Each night, we had the delight of sleeping under a magnificent panoply of stars as we rested our weary limbs,” said Mr Bladon.
“When we finally reached the finishing line by the waters of the Red Sea, we all collapsed in a state of utter exhaustion as our supplies of adrenaline were abruptly turned off.”
But, despite the struggle, the trip was well worth it because of the amount of money made for Wellbeing of Women and Prostate UK.
“Initially my target was £2,500 which seemed to me to be a high target but it started rolling in towards the end and I raised £5,600. Collectively, we raised more than a quarter of a million pounds.
“I am truly humbled by the generosity of so many across the county and beyond,” said Mr Bladon.
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