A GRANDFATHER tackled two of Llandudno's steepest hills in memory of his friend's partner and raised £2,730 for a hospice.

Alan Pierce, 72, walked the steep incline of the Great Orme every day, for 10 consecutive days, to raise money for St David's Hospice.

Starting from his home in Craig-Y-Don, the father of three grown-up-children and grandfather to Katie, aged seven, went to the top of the Old Road - which has gradients as steep as one in four - and followed the Great Orme tram-line.

He then continued his walk from Happy Valley to the ski slope.

The challenge was a huge task for Alan who has had a new hip and over the last few years, has had two serious ligament injuries to the same ankle.

North Wales Pioneer:

Alan and Gwyn who have been friends for 50 years

He walked in memory of Lynne Harvey, the late partner of his friend Gwyn Jones.

Alan, who has known Gwyn for more than 50 years, said: "I went for a walk and was thinking what I could do to help support a local charity, particularly St David’s Hospice.

“Gwyn, always spoke so highly of how they treated Lynne so I spoke to him about doing the walk and said he could be my campaign manager and spread the word.

"I can not explain why, but the hardest part was the middle section of the two hills. Probably because I felt fresh starting the climb, before starting to feel the pain in the back of my legs as I was getting to about half way and the top seemed far away when looking towards the top of the hill.

"All my family and friends, are proud of what I achieved for such a great cause. I never expected to raise £2,760. My aim was to raise £300 and to have some exercise.

"I would really like to thank all who have contributed and should any of your readers wish to do so, I would ask that they send any donation to the hospice itself."

Gwyn was with Lynne for 22 years. She died in May 2019 during her third week at St David's Hospice. She was 63 and had been fighting cancer for four years.

Gwyn said: "When Alan told me that he wanted to raise money for St David’s hospice, and explained how he was going to do, I was full of encouragement, and offered to do whatever I could to support him. But when he asked me about doing it in memory of Lynne, I felt emotionally honoured and happy with the proposal.

"It’s a charity that’s close to my heart after the wonderful care Lynne received."

St David's Hospice, which cares for patients living with life limiting illnesses in North West Wales, has launched a Recovery Fund after revealing it will face a total financial loss of more than £1 million due to Covid-19