MANY a pop star has used the metaphor of ‘climbing a mountain’ for the one you love.
But one man took that literally and scaled not one, but 13 of the world’s tallest peaks in memory of his late wife.
Peter Penny, 67, put together the year-long ‘Mountain a Month’ challenge after Glenys died of a brain tumour in 2011, aged just 66.
Since then Mr Penny, of Batchworth Lane, Northwood, has climbed the world’s most iconic mountains and raised more than £5,000 for The Brain Tumour Charity.
He finished the marathon expedition earlier this month with a climb to base camp of Mount Everest, the tallest mountain in the world.
“My lasting memory was the evening we had watched the sun set on Everest,” said Mr Penny.
“Myself and two of the Sherpas strolled back in the pitch black night, when suddenly everything became bright.
“We stopped, turned our gaze back towards Everest and were awestruck by the rising of the full moon above Everest peak.”
Mount Snowdon in Wales, Table Mountain in South Africa and Pico del Teide in Tenerife are just some of the peaks he climbed.
Celebrating New Year’s Day at dawn on the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro, in Tanzania, was one of the most memorable moments of his incredible journey.
“It was one of my most ambitious climbs through extreme terrain, including thick rainforest and highland desert, before reaching near Arctic conditions,” said Mr Penny.
“I remember taking in the last ascent to the top of Kilimanjaro. It was definitely a high point, sucking in every last ounce of oxygen while taking in the wonder of it all.”
Mr Penny, the CEO and chairman of independent film production company, Connected Pictures, says he has met some fantastic people of all ages and experiences, with whom he plans to climb again.
“I’m proud of what I’ve achieved,” he said.
Louise Taylor, director of fundraising, said: “We are grateful for all the efforts made by Peter – we hope he’s now enjoying a well-earned rest.
“Brain tumours are the biggest cancer killer of the under-40s and, unlike other cancers, survival rates have not improved over the last 40 years.
“We are leading the way in changing this and truly fighting brain tumours on all fronts through our work, including a £2.5m investment into research this year alone.
? Donate at www.justgiving.com/peter-penny.
