Clwydian Range hike carrying fridge freezer for Hope House

To honour a family bet made last year with Vicky, on Sunday May 31, Matt set off on a 70-mile hike across the Clwydian Range with a 90lb fridge freezer strapped to his back.
Speaking of the incredible trek, ex-Marine Matt said: "I had to go deeper than ever before and take myself back to Commando training 23 years ago.
"My whole body was screaming, and I hit breaking point early on after a fuelling error.
Support for Matt Jones during his children's hospice fundraiser.
"In the toughest moments, it was Vicky's voice through our four children that was telling me: 'You've got this, be you'."
Vicky had been a passionate supporter of Hope House Tŷ Gobaith children's hospices, which has bases in Oswestry and Conwy, so Matt decided to start a tribute fund for the hospices in her memory and use the bet as a spur for fundraising.
The bet came about last September when Matt was recovering in hospital after a total hip replacement operation.
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Matt said: "The surgeon was telling me I had to slow down.
"Vicky was sat in the corner laughing whist telling the surgeon, 'You might as well talk to a brick wall'.
"She then told the surgeon: 'Knowing this idiot he will try and complete it again with a fridge on his back'.
"I replied: 'I will do it twice, with a fridge freezer on my back'.
"Smiling and laughing whist shaking her head, Vicky said: 'You've got yourself a bet Mr Jones'."
Matt Jones during his fundraiser in memory of his wife Vicky.
The 42-year-old, who keeps himself fit by playing rugby, added: "The wind on parts of the route made the fridge freezer like a sail.
"With the team by my side, we didn't stop. By the three peaks at Moel Fferna, it was all or nothing.
"The distance in this wasn't the issue, it was the 15,000ft of elevation.
Read more: Optician Dawn set sights on half marathon charity fundraiser
"We crossed Vivod as a team and came into Llangollen surrounded by family and friends with two hours to spare on our 36 hour limit.
"This challenge was never about fitness. It was about honouring a promise to my kids and keeping Vicky's spirit alive.
"Vicky's mantra was: 'You are the only you, own it, rock it, feel it, embrace it, love it, and be it… be you!'.
"Thank you to everyone, family, friends, supporters, I could not have done it without you. Especially Rich, Rob and Simon - the best support and pitstop crew I could have asked for.
Read more: Every moment matters - Wrexham hospice launch funding campaign
"We raised a lot of money for Hope House and if it inspired you even a little bit, then we've done our job."
Hope House Tŷ Gobaith fundraiser Vicky Bradbeer, said: "Wow! We are lost for words with Matt and his team's effort.
"What an incredible challenge and the most beautiful of tributes to Vicky and example to his children who must be extremely proud.
Read more: Man living with condition urges people to join him at Wrexham's Walk for Parkinson's
"It's an amazing amount of money that has been raised and will go directly to providing free professional nursing and respite care to local children and families living with a life-threatening condition.
"Thank you so much to everyone involved and to those who have so kindly donated and supported Matt with this unbelievable challenge"
• It's not too late if you would like to donate, visit online at: tinyurl.com/ykrrkjd8
You can follow Matt on social media: Instagram: @fridge_freezer_man or Facebook: Fridge freezer man

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