When Keith Matthews watched his granddaughter suffer from meningitis two years ago, he vowed to try and help others in the same situation. And so, next month he’s making good on his promise by attempting to get to the top of the Mourne Mountains in Ireland. The fundraising mission is an admirable one for most to undertake but especially so when you consider Matthews is 68 years old and wheelchair-bound.
It was his granddaughter, Tanya Matthews who inspired him to take on the climb after he witnessed first hand the effects of meningitis. Picking up the deadly the bug in 2008 (she now suffers from deafness in one ear as a result) and again this year, she suffered from the less serious viral strain of the disease but once again recovered. As reported by BBC News, her doting grandfather never forgot the anguish the family suffered during those times. Despite being disabled since a car crash in 1982, the pensioner decided he wanted to show his gratitude to all the kind people who helped Tanya pull through.
So next month, the Cumbria resident will set off from his home in the Lake District and travel to Northern Ireland where he will attempt to climb the 2,785-foot peak of the Mourne Mountains for the Meningitis Trust. Explaining his ambitious decision, Matthews said the charity “provides a lifeline to people whose lives have been turned upside down by the disease. People just like me and my family.”
Since being in a wheelchair, the inspirational Brit has completed many similar challenges, such as scaling Ben Nevis, Snowdon and Helvellyn but this will be his last adventure and will fulfill a lifetime dream. Good luck to you Keith Matthews!!!
Photo via meningitis-trust.org.