Rhug Estate is once again throwing its support behind a remarkable mountain challenge which will help provide Christmas dinners for homeless and vulnerable veterans across Wales.
Dr Richard Mottershead, a Professor of Nursing from Llangynhafal, is preparing to scale Mount Ararat in Turkey, standing more than 16,800ft above sea level, to raise funds for Adferiad’s veterans’ service, Change Step.
For the third year running, Rhug Estate, near Corwen, will supply award-winning meat for the festive meals, while The Drovers Arms at Rhewl, near Ruthin, has stepped forward to prepare them.
Richard is funding the expedition himself so every penny donated can go directly towards providing Christmas dinners for up to 50 veterans supported by Change Step.
“I’ve been involved in supporting the development of Change Step from its very beginning around 15 years ago,” he said.
“My goal is to provide Christmas meals for veterans who may otherwise face Christmas without the warmth and companionship many of us take for granted.
“Mount Ararat will be a real test of endurance, with altitude, freezing temperatures and difficult mountain conditions, but every difficult step will have a purpose.
“I’ll be climbing for veterans who have faced challenges far greater than anything I will experience on a mountain.”
Lord Newborough said Rhug was proud to once again stand alongside Richard and the local community in supporting the campaign.
“It is a privilege to support Richard and Change Step again and to know produce from Rhug will help provide a Christmas dinner, and hopefully a sense of warmth and belonging, for veterans who have given so much,” he said.
“This is a wonderful example of what can happen when people and businesses come together for a good cause.
“Rhug will provide the meat and, with The Drovers Arms generously agreeing to prepare the meals, every donation Richard raises can go that bit further.
“Quality food has the power to bring people together and at Christmas especially, nobody should underestimate what a proper meal and knowing people are thinking of you can mean.”
Sion and Sam Roberts, owners of the Drovers Arms, added: “We have a strong commitment to supporting local community initiatives and are so proud to help bring some Christmas warmth and kindness to those who have served.”
The challenge follows Richard’s fundraising climb of Mount Halgurd in Iraqi Kurdistan last year, when Rhug also donated produce to the Christmas meals campaign.
His latest expedition has an added personal significance.
Richard has been awarded a full PhD scholarship by the Government of Iraq and is conducting a global study into migration, mental health and wellbeing.
Turkey was the first country to offer support for the research through Professor Dr Yasemin Buran Cirak of Istinye University.
Professor Buran Cirak championed the need for a compassionate global study but sadly passed away unexpectedly this year.
Richard will dedicate his Mount Ararat climb to her legacy, her family and colleagues.
He added: “There is a simple message behind all of this.
We remember our veterans and want them to know they have not been forgotten.”
