A CHANCE encounter on a Welsh mountain has led to a fundraising event that has been given the blessing by the family of an hillwalking enthusiast who died last year.

On April 5 2020, Duncan Macauley was enjoying an early morning sunrise on Graig Fawr (Meliden) with his friend Paul Fairhurst and hiking partner Alun Lloyd. [Lockdown restrictions prevented the trio from venturing into Snowdonia National Park, but keen to maintain their fitness and keep their legs in good stead in readiness for returning to their favourite climbing place, Paul and Macauley headed over to Moel Hiraggug (Dyserth)]

Duncan, of Rhyl, described as a hard working family man, took ill during the walk and collapsed. The emergency services were called and CPR commenced, but despite everyone’s best efforts Duncan, 53, passed away on the hill.

On the first anniversary of Duncan's death, Paul and Gary Faulkner were climbing Y Garn, a 3000 plus feet mountain in Snowdonia when they bumped into Julie Starling, Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board (BCUHB) arrhythmia specialist and director of Keep the Beats - part of Awyr Las, the North Wales NHS Charity.

Brothers Duncan and Marc Macauley

Brothers Duncan and Marc Macauley

When they got talking, they came up with the idea of a fundraising event to raise money for community defibrillators.

Julie said: "With lockdown restrictions lifted, I'd walked up the mountain to take a picture of the Keep the Beats flag at the peak. I got chatting to Paul and Gary and after hearing the moving story.we decided to do a fundraising event in Duncan’s name to raise money for community defibrillators.

"CPR is such an easy skill to learn, and it's great to hear that it’s being added to the Welsh curriculum. It’s important that everyone understand how to perform basic CPR and has quick access to a defibrillator, as early CPR and defibrillation is the best combination to re-establish the hearts natural heartbeat and save lives.

"Unfortunately not all CPR attempts are successful as it depends on the cause of the cardiac arrest, but by doing CPR Paul and Alun, gave Duncan the best possible chance of survival."

The event will be held on August 21.

Participants will summit all 15 of Snowdonia's 3000 ft plus peaks at the same time, but different groups will head off separately on the various paths. There is also a team of four planning to complete all 15 summits within 24 hours.

Paul said: “The event has the blessing of Duncan’s wife Liz and sons Kyle and Sam who hope that raise money for the purchase of defibrillators which will be used to help and hopefully save a life for the residents and visitors of North Wales.”

Julie added: "The North Wales partnership has placed over 500 defibrillators in the community within the last three year and that’s all thanks to money raised by our community.To date six defibrillators have been place in the community thanks to Duncan, but through Paul, Alun and Garry's efforts the aim is to raise funds for at least two more.

"We are so inspired by the group's motivation for the 3,000ft Mountain challenge, that every defibrillator placed in the community thanks to this initiative, will have Duncan's logo on.

"We are so pleased to have been invited to join this fantastic event that is turning out to be much more than the celebration of just one life."

Donate to your favourite team’s JustGiving page. Visit: justgiving.com/team/keepthebeatsforduncan.

Paul, Alun, Liz (Duncan’s wife) and their family are very grateful to the emergency services for the care they gave to Duncan on the mountain the day he died and wish to send their heart-warming thanks to the Welsh Ambulance Service.