by Alan Quick

A CREDITON man has presented a cheque for £3,368 to the Army Benevolent Fund (The Soldiers Charity) after he and two teams of fundraisers took part in a gruelling trek in the Welsh mountains in memory of his son.

<7 point>Stewart Fleming took part in the challenge 24 years after he last completed the challenge as a serviceman.

Mr Fleming and friends of Jamie Fleming, who tragically died two years ago to the day in a motorcycle accident, took part in the Fan Dance challenge on Monday, April 18.

Mr Fleming said that it was very poignant as Jamie was on the “Fan” the week before he was killed.

Previously Mr Fleming said he would like to thank the people who generously sponsored the "Fan Dance" team.

He said: “We were hoping to raise £1,000, we in fact raised an astonishing £3,300.  This was through our “Just Giving” page, cash pledges and gift aid.

“I would like to say a special “thank you” to the businesses and traders in Crediton, who again came up trumps.

“I feel that I should put some names to the sponsorship we received: Neil and his team at Smarter Accounting; Val from Barker’s Jewellers; Heather, Jan, Sharon, Darren, Mike and Tony the shop staff at Adams Home Hardware; Sue and Jim from Four Seasons Florists; Jim from Once Read; Dee and Charlie at Crediton Community Bookshop; Sarah and Sasha at Sarah’s Barber Shop; Clare and Emma at the Town Council Office; Nigel and Andy from Vino Sacro; Becky from Cartoonz; Mark at MJB Services; Gary and his team at Hedgerow Print and the staff at FixAuto Mid Devon.

“Also a big thank you must also go to everyone who dug deep and pledged money on ‘JustGiving’ and cash pledges.

“Thank you again to everyone who donated so generously.”

The fundraisers consisted of two teams, a civilian team and a military team made up of officers and colleagues.

Robert Jordan, regional director South West, ABF The Soldier’s Charity, said: “When I describe this event as an attempt on Pen Y Fan, Stewart corrected me:  ‘It’s not an attempt Robert, I’m definitely getting to the top, no question’.  And he did.  As one of his supports posted:  ‘Big respect Stew – you nailed it’.  Our charity is hugely grateful for what he done.”