A MALDON hiker climbed the highest mountain in Wales as part of a team of directors in a tribute to their friend’s wife who sadly died.

Roy Thorogood is the regional relationship manager for the Maldon Specsavers store in High Street, and in July he and eight colleagues climbed Mount Snowdon, the highest point in the British Isles outside of the Scottish Highlands, to raise £530 for charity.

The group took on the challenge in memory of Priya Mistry, who died of heart failure aged 32, who was the wife of their colleague Alpesh Mistry.

Mrs Mistry sadly died from pulmonary hypertension, a rare disease of the heart, so the group carried out their climb to raise funds for the Pulmonary Hypertension Association UK charity.

The nine-strong hiking group, who arrived at their base camp from Cambridgeshire, Essex and Hertfordshire the day before, departed on their walk at 7.15am, returning eight hours later.

The steep and demanding journey saw the climbers rise 1,085 m above sea level.

Mr Thorogood, who also lives in Maldon, said: “It was a gruelling walk – there was lots of wind and steep inclines, but we had great company and it was all for an incredibly worthy cause.

“We’re happy to have helped make a difference in some small way. Alpesh is an incredibly valued colleague and friend and we wanted to support him.”

The team plans to add to their total for the charity with further fundraising efforts throughout the year.

Alpesh Mistry, who is store director at Specsavers Dunstable and Biggleswade, said he was touched to hear of his colleagues’ plans for the walk:

He said: “It was such an amazing gesture from them – one that means a lot to me.

“It’s not an easy hike to undertake and the fact they did it in memory of Priya, and managed to raise such a great amount of money at the same time is truly lovely.”