INTRODUCING PEAK VERIS
OUR CHARITY CHALLENGE
'Peak Veris' is our ongoing charity challenge, beginning with our Veris team climbing the highest peak in the UK, Ben Nevis. It is a challenge that holds a special meaning for us, as it is dedicated to our dear friend and Veris colleague, Stuart, and his partner, Haydn.
In January 2022, Haydn received the devastating news that he had cancer. Throughout this difficult journey, Addenbrooke's Hospital provided invaluable support and treatment to Haydn.
Haydn’s Story
Haydn, a primary school teacher, dedicated over 30 years of his life to young people and their development. A keen gym go-er with a love for everything outdoors, he spent the last seven years building a life with Stuart, after they met in 2015.
After being diagnosed with anal cancer in January 2022, Haydn went through a four-month round of chemotherapy and radiotherapy, throughout the summer that year. This treatment initially looked to be successful and the rest of the summer was spent recovering and looking to the future.
At one of the last scans before being due to be given the all-clear, a small area of cancer was noted in the original site, shortly followed by an additional, sizeable cancer being found in a new site, between Haydn’s stomach and liver.
Haydn and Stuart were given the news that the cancer was terminal and required chemotherapy for the rest of Haydn’s life.
Sadly, on the 25th of May 2023, Haydn passed away at home with Stu by his side.
We want to create a lasting legacy for Stuart and Haydn, so we have set a target to raise £50,000 which will go to the Addenbrooke’s Charitable Trust, at Haydn’s request, a charity set up to help save and change the lives of people with cancer.
“Raising money for Addenbrooke’s would be such a great thank you for all they have done. Addenbrooke’s has been an incredible place full of lovely doctors, nurses and carers. They have been nothing but helpful, personable and kind with a real sense of pride in what they do… only wanting the best for each and every patient, no one is made to feel like a number.”
- Haydn
Our first hike, to the summit of Ben Nevis is going to be no mean feat, but as the first of the Peak Veris climbs creeps nearer, the team, with the help of their dedicated Personal Trainer, Ryan, have been put through their paces with weekly boot camps, as well as getting out on some practice walks in the local area.
Their first official training walk took them to Dunstable Downs, the perfect spot to experience some of those dreaded steep hills. The team were definitely feeling the burn, but the whole time stayed motivated, knowing it was all for an amazing cause and for their amazing friends, Stuart and Haydn.
Follow our #PeakVeris journey, Veris Strategies (LinkedIn Link) on LinkedIn or @Verisstrat on Instagram, and to support Team Veris, you can donate to:
https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/peakveris
“The team at Veris have gone above and beyond in supporting and helping Stuart and I. It’s a challenge I wish I could join myself, but I will be supporting from the side lines and I’m VERY excited to see how Stuart especially manages it!”
- Haydn