'Poignant' fundraiser following his cancer treatment

Rhod Gilbert is to lead a trek up the highest peak in the Atlas Mountains – the first such hike he has attempted since his cancer diagnosis.

The walk up the 4,167-metre (13,671ft) Mount Toubkal in Morocco will be raising money for Velindre Cancer Centre, the Cardiff clinic which he was a patron of – even before he needed their services. 

In May last year the comic was diagnosed with head and neck cancer, but is on the road to recovery following surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy,

Gilbert – who has completed five previous treks for the charity – said: 'To say this one will be special is an understatement. 

'The treks are always amazing experiences, fun, interesting, moving and inspiring, but this time I can add in the fact that I owe Velindre my life.'

Last month, he returned to the stage, picking up his postponed Book Of John tour at the Swansea Arena. After the gig, he posted a video on social media saying: ‘It is wonderful being back doing stand-up again for the first time in a year. I'm feeling good. Lovely to be here, lovely to be back in Swansea, lovely to be alive, lovely to be back on tour.’

Gilbert will be hosting his third Hoof Cancer Right Where It Hurts gig at Wales Millennium Centre on October 1 to raise money for Velindre, with tickets put on sale this morning. The line-up has not yet been revealed, although previous fundraisers have featured the likes of Greg Davies, Michael McIntyre and John Bishop. Gilbert said this time: 'The Hoof Cancer gigs are always a chaotic  highlight of my calendar. No idea who I’ll rope in, but you can bet It’ll be another cracking line-up of brilliant comedians.' 

His first fundraising trek was a climb of Kilimanjaro in September 2013, which was documented in the BBC TV programme called Rhod v Kilimanjaro, pictured above.

He subsequently led a trek to Patagonia to celebrate the 150th anniversary of Welsh settlers arriving in South America; a remote Inca trail culminating at Machu Picchu in Peru;  a trek along the Helambu trail in Nepal; and a hike in Cuba.

The Morocco trek – described as ‘particularly poignant’ by organisers –  takes place over three days from October 5, and marks the 100th anniversary of the first recorded ascent of Mt Toubkal. The peak – known locally as Adrar n’dem, Mountain of Mountains – is the tallest in the Arab World. 

The toughest day involves an 11-hour hike in the North African heat, with participants warned: ‘The trekking becomes steeper and more rugged as we climb higher, and the views become ever more stunning.’

Andrew Morris, head of fundraising at Velindre, said: 'It is entirely typical of Rhod that having led five incredibly successful trips for Velindre, raising over £1.8 million, one of his first thoughts after becoming a Velindre patient was to aim to lead yet another trek.

'We are so, so grateful to have him as a Velindre patron and the Hoof Cancer Concert will be a wonderful way for everyone to show their affection and support for Rhod just before he leaves for Morocco.'

Gilbert will also be doing a short run of work-in-progress shows at the Gilded Balloon at the Edinburgh Fringe from August  21 to 27, but the gigs have long since sold out.

• Donate to Velindre Cancer Centre here

Published: 9 Jun 2023