On Track team scale Snowdon for Prostate Cancer Research

Members of the On Track team and young people who have worked with the project conquered the highest peak in Wales on Thursday (17 April) during a two-day residential trip to Snowdonia.

The charity trekkers chose to raise cash for Prostate Cancer Research in memory of On Track co-ordinator Kevin Brookes' late father, Jimmy Brookes, who died from the disease.

The team of 14 trekkers set off from the Snowdon Llanberis youth hostel and took six hours to climb the 1,085-metre peak.

And after setting a fund-raising target of £500, the On Track team's trek has so far raised more than £2,500.

Following the team's return to Rugby, Kevin said: "This was the first time we have been able to return to Snowdonia since the pandemic and we're delighted to have brought together so many young people who have worked with On Track for the trip.

"Prostate cancer's the most common cancer in men, with one in eight men getting the disease. The risk for black men doubles to one in four, so it's vital to raise awareness of the disease and support research into diagnosing prostate cancer earlier and improving the treatments currently on offer.

"Not a day goes by where I don't think about my Dad and the love and support he showed us, and I'm so grateful to the whole team for choosing to support Prostate Cancer Research and the generous donations from all of our family and friends."

On Track was launched in 2013 and works in schools, youth clubs and communities across Rugby, running structured sport and recreational sessions, mentoring programmes and workshops dealing with issues which affect young people.

The team hosts weekly sessions at youth clubs in Brownsover, Long Lawford and Overslade, and designs and delivers education programmes for school pupils who face barriers to learning, with the aim of keeping pupils in mainstream education.

On Track's trained sports coaches, youth workers and mentors have also developed strategies to help pupils deal with complex issues such as bullying, low self-esteem, aggression and concerns over mental health.

For more information about On Track, visit www.rugby.gov.uk/ontrack

To donate to the team's Snowdon charity trek, visit www.justgiving.com/search and search for 'Kevin Brookes'.