Brave climber, 90, gives hospital a cheque (From Worcester News)

Brave climber, 90, gives hospital a cheque

2:50pm Tuesday 1st December 2009

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A 90-year-old Worcestershire man injured by gale-force winds on a sponsored climb has handed over more than £5,500 to a county hospital.

Allen Birch and five friends were blown off their feet during their ascent of Mount Snowdon as the tail-end of Hurricane Bill struck Wales.

The 70mph gusts blew them on to rocks and Mr Birch, of Spencer Avenue, Wribbenhall, Bewdley, suffered a blow on the head, a black eye and leg injuries which need physiotherapy.

But the great-grandfather’s brave bid persuaded many people to increase their sponsor money and resulted in £5,579 being collected.

Former Scout leader Mr Birch gave a cheque to Sister Rachel Desogus at Kidderminster Hospital’s Millbrook cancer suite. It will be put towards a £7,000 cooling cap which stops hair loss during chemotherapy treatment.

Sister Desogus, who did a sponsored climb of Scafell Pike in June, said: “Allen has done a fantastic job raising all this money at some risk to himself. Our heartfelt thanks go out to him and all those who backed his climb."

Mr Birch spent six months collecting sponsorship in Bewdley, Stourport-on-Severn, Far Forest, Rock, Clee Hill and surrounding villages.

The seven-hour climb in driving rain took place on Wednesday, August 26. The group turned back after being warned by other climbers.

Despite his injuries, Mr Birch managed to descend unaided, apart from his Scout thumbstick.

He said: "It was a disappointment not to get to the summit but nearly everyone paid their sponsorship money – and many even increased it when they heard what a difficult day it was."

Mr Birch climbed the same peak at the age of 86 and 88, raising £3,561 for Methodist churches and Scout troops.

He still walks up to 14 miles on Saturdays to keep fit and serves meals at a luncheon club for the elderly.

David Thomas, of Worcester, who was among those who walked with Mr Birch, said: "Allen is an inspiration to everyone who knows him. He wanted to go on but we persuaded him to turn back."

Mr Birch’s daughter Des drove him round the sponsors. If anyone would like to help him reach the £7,000 target figure, they can contact her on 07818 092562.

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