A FUNDRAISING-MAD gym owner who helped raise £4,500 by climbing Scotland’s highest mountain has been nominated for a Proud of Barnsley award.
Pete Shaw, 29, from Ardsley, started his gym Barnsley Barbell in February 2016 and has been raising money for charity ever since.
His most recent mission saw him team up with more than 50 people to travel to Fort William.
The climb was organised with the aim of raising £2,000 for the charity Molly Olly’s, which supports children with life-threatening illnesses and their families to help with their emotional wellbeing.
“So far the group have raised over £4,500 including online and offline donations,” he said.
“Memories were made, bonds were formed and an amazing charity was helped.
“I am really proud of everyone who took part in this challenge.
“The support we’ve received from everyone at home has been phenomenal.”
Pete is now looking at raising even more money with events for Barnsley Hospice and funding for a new defibrillator in the pipeline.
“We started the gym in 2016 and we’ve been doing a lot of work to raise money for different charities,” he added.
“When we first started we were raising money for the Barnsley Churches Drop-In Project who help the homeless.
“We’ve done a lot of things like the three peaks challenge, a Christmas campaign where we supported kids in hospitals and other things, too.
“We’re always looking to do something we’re now planning a fundraiser for Barnsley Hospice in September.
“I’ve always thought that if you’re in a position where you can get a group of people together to help out, then you should.”
Upon hearing of his nomination, Pete said: “I feel blown away and I’m quite shocked and emotional.
“It feels amazing to be nominated by someone.
“You do a lot of hard work behind the scenes but that’s because we love helping people.
“We never do any of the things hoping or expecting to be recognised.”
