An unusual arrangement has been struck between one of Britain’s top climbers and a charity which helps disabled people – profit sharing.

          Drew Haigh of the British climbing team, has just started up his own business, supplying fellow climbers with purpose-designed handmade chalk bags. Climbers carry them to supply chalk, to give a better grip with their hands.

          At the end of the year, he intends giving a slice of the profits from Homemade Climbing Stuff, to The Wilf Ward Family Trust.

          The entrepreneur says: “I’ve been thinking of doing this for a while, and wanted to help a charity which helps people directly to lead better lives. “Because I live in Pickering, and the charity is based here, it made sense to approach the Trust to see if they were interested. “I see on a daily basis the good they do for disabled people and I wanted to be a part of it.”

          The Wilf Ward Family Trust started up 21 years ago and provides a range of  services from respite care to supported  living and community services to disabled people living in North, East and West  Yorkshire.

          Richard Pick, chief executive of the Trust, said: “It’s a great gesture from Drew who, I’m sure, will make a great success of his business. “He has a lot of talent and within the climbing fraternity, his reputation will carry his business far. That can only be good for him, his fellow climbers and, of course, the many disabled people we help to lead fulfilling lives in their      community.”

          Drew’s products are available at climbing centres around the country and from www.homemadeclimbingstuff.com 

More information about the Trust can be found at www.wilfward.org.uk

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