Pickering ready to scale heights for NSPCC Centre for Wales

The Chairman of the Welsh Rugby Union, David Pickering, has recruited a team of former players and business colleagues to scale the 2,430 metre high peak of Machu Picchu in Peru to raise money for the NSPCC (National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children).

He will be joined by colleagues including the ex-Neath and Wales prop forward Jeremy Pugh and the Cardiff Blues Chairman, businessman Peter Thomas for the climb in late October.

They will trek through rain forests and jungle to reach the sacred lost city of the Incas to secure up to £100,000 for NSPCC Cymru/Wales' Building Brighter Futures appeal, to establish a major, new child protection centre in Cardiff.

Direct services delivered from the purpose built NSPCC Centre for Wales will focus on assisting children and young people to overcome the negative impacts of emotional, physical and sexual abuse. The Centre will also enable the NSPCC to continue the pioneering work of its existing domestic abuse services.

The climb is taking place two years after most of the same group climbed Mount Kilimanjaro in Kenya in aid of the NSPCC.

Meanwhile David Pickering's wife, Justine, is joining a cycle ride from London to Paris this week with another group of supporters to raise money for the same appeal. They are aiming to raise £30,000 in the process.

David Pickering said: "It is a great privilege to be able to help such a worthwhile cause which is dear to all of us who are taking part. By helping to change children's lives now, we are making a fundamentally important investment in the future of individuals, their families, their communities and in society across Wales.

"A by-product of this venture is that we have formed great friendships with some remarkable people who go out of their way to help people less fortunate than themselves.

"It will be a tough climb, but the discomfort and effort will all be worth it because we know how important the NSPCC's new Centre for Wales is."

His views were echoed by fellow climber Peter Thomas who added: "It is so important to be able to do something which helps young people who are in great need of support and care.

"We are embarking on a difficult venture but I would urge everyone to consider helping a great cause like this in any way they can."

Sir Christopher Kelly, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the NSPCC said: "We owe an enormous debt of gratitude to these people who are giving up their time to embark on such an ambitious and difficult climb to help the NSPCC end cruelty to children.

"The new centre in Cardiff will deliver vital help to extremely vulnerable young people and thanks to the efforts of donors and supporters, it will be fully operational by the end of this year."

To make a donation to the Building Brighter Futures Appeal please visit www.nspcc.org.uk/brighterfutures