INTREPID walkers are being urged to join a special climb to raise funds towards the Veterans' Orthopaedic Centre Appeal.

The annual Snowpaedic Challenge is organised by The Orthopaedic Institute, a charity based at The Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital (RJAH) in Gobowen, which supports research and teaching through voluntary contributions to benefit patients.

The existing Veterans’ Orthopaedic Service is the first of its kind in the UK, which provides outpatient clinics to those who have served in the UK military with arthritic lower limb problems.

A £1.5 million appeal was launched by the hospital towards the end of last year to fund the new Veterans’ Orthopaedic Centre, which will allow veterans to be treated in a bespoke environment suited to their needs.

Last year’s challenge raised a total of £6,200 towards the appeal.

The walk up Snowdon will be held on Saturday, June 8.

This year walkers will be raising funds towards the Veterans’ Centre Education and Research Fund. This will allow continued research into lower limb conditions and provide teaching for new staff within the planned centre.

Debra Alexander, fundraiser for the Orthopaedic Institute, said: “The Snowpaedic Challenge is always a really fantastic event. Over the past three years, it’s been wonderful to see so many patients and friends join us for the walk.

“Last year the Snowpaedic Challenge raised an amazing £6,200. We hope that everyone will come along and join us again this year and help us to top that total.

“We also appreciate that some of our team may not wish to or it may not be possible to complete the full walk. Some may choose to walk halfway up and back down or even travel on the train! This is not a problem, we welcome everyone to turn up and take part in whichever way they please. “

Sammy Davies, Quality Outcomes Manager at RJAH, pictured, who took part in last year’s challenge, said: “I really enjoyed the Snowpaedic Challenge last year, it was great to see so many different people come together to do something that benefits the hospital.

“It was a really fantastic atmosphere and I felt a great sense of achievement that we’d climbed the highest mountain in Wales. If you’re thinking about taking part, I’d highly recommend doing it.”

The route is approximately nine miles in total up and down and should take around six hours to complete.

Entry is £15 per person and under 16s are free. Walkers are also encouraged to ask friends, relatives and colleagues to provide sponsorship so more funds can be raised.

Anyone interested in joining this year’s Snowpaedic Challenge team, is asked to contact Debra Alexander or Sian Jones on 01691 404561 or at enquiries@orthopaedic-institute.org.

Donations may be made by cheque to the Orthopaedic Institute Ltd or by visiting the website: https://www.orthopaedic-institute.org/events/