Care team conquer Snowdon in aid of dementia choir

Care home staff who scaled Snowdon in treacherous weather have raised almost £4,000 for a local dementia choir.

A team of 10 from Glenvale Park in Wellingborough, Northamptonshire, were hiking up the mountain when conditions took a dramatic turn.

Most abandoned the final push for the 1,085m (3,560ft) summit after visibility reduced, the temperature dropped and winds whipped around them at 80mph.

Home manager Carley Calder said she had to remind herself of the good work by the charity Dementia Sings Out, which helps her residents.

"I had a last bit of wind and thought I have to get up here," she said.

Ms Calder was among four who continued, as they were "so close to the summit", but others considered it was too dangerous for them.

The group included family members and a charity volunteer.

Snowdon, or Yr Wyddfa, is a "challenging" hike, according to the Eryri National Park Authority, which advises visitors to be well prepared as the weather can often change without warning.

Fellow climber Louise Clarke, the home's lifestyle manager, had helped organise the trip on 29 March and was among those who bowed out.

"I had kept an eye on the weather, and it said it was going to turn at 16:00, but it came in much earlier, at 11:00," she explained.

"Suddenly we couldn't see where we were going.

"The cloud came in, from above and below, visibility had gone, the wind picked up, we all got blown over, then it started snowing and hailing, it was -10C with wind chill.

"It was terrifying.

"But when we got to accommodation and had a few hours to let it all sink in, we were really proud of ourselves."

The team raised £3,936 for Dementia Sings Out, which runs a free choir session at Compass Church, off Finedon Road, each week.

Follow Northamptonshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.