A FATHER-to-four who dressed up as a monk and trekked the Great Orme for a fundraising challenge has presented a cheque to St David's Hospice. 

Rodney Davies, appointed vice chair of the new Pirate Festival for Conwy 2024, walked barefoot when he took on Llandudno fundraiser for St David's Hospice on Easter Sunday.

Dressed in a full monk's habit, Rodney walked the ancient Monk's Path up the steep side of the Great Orme to St Tudno's Church. 

Rodney said: "We smashed our target of a couple of hundred pounds, and recently we presented [to Shannon from St David’s Hospice] a cheque for £1,500 pounds from the Knights Templar of England & Wales."

Rodney shaved his head, leaving a ring of hair, for the challenge.

North Wales Pioneer: Rodney Davies dressed as a monk on the Great OrmeRodney Davies dressed as a monk on the Great Orme (Image: Rodney Davies)
The following week he climbed Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) which still had snow on the top.

Rodney said: "I loved it.

"Next year we plan to walk the North Wales Pilgrims way which is 120 miles, but perhaps not barefooted."

Rodney, who has spent the last 16 years living in the Kingdom of Bahrain in the Middle East, working at the F1 International circuit and also helping to run a wine company, was keen to raise money for St David's Hospice following the death of his mother Anne Davies. 

Rodney, a guest house owner, was supported by friends and family members on the walk. He came up with the idea for the walk after attending a Medieval banquet with the Knights Templar of England and Wales.

The Original Conwy Pirate Festival will return next year; it was "indefinitely" cancelled in October.

After the announcement, a spokesperson for the organising committee revealed, just a few days later, that the event was in fact back on.

North Wales Pioneer: The following week Rodney climbed Yr Wyddfa.The following week Rodney climbed Yr Wyddfa. (Image: Submitted)
A spokesperson for the Conwy Chamber of Trade said via social media: "The Original Conwy Pirate Festival is officially un-cancelled.

"The committee want to get this news out as quickly as possible as its caused so much stress and anxiety to people who have booked accommodation, shops who have bought stock and local businesses in general who benefit from the event.

"A general meeting will be held very soon for all remaining committee members and further details finalised for release asap.

"All is well - the rum is not gone.

"Please share this happy news as much as the negativity was shared and celebrate with us."