Pete Jackson is a 75-year-old man with a mission: Raise money for two causes close to his family’s heart – Raynaud’s and heart disease. These are medical issues impacting his two children and he’s not the type to just stand back and watch them suffer.
Pete is determined to raise funds for charities serving these two causes, one of which is the Raynaud’s Association. Being someone experienced in extreme challenges, Pete’s plan is to solicit support for his trek up Mount Kilimanjaro in September 2024, one month after his 76th birthday. Mount Kilimanjaro is the highest free-standing mountain in the world at 19,340 feet, and in preparation for his big event, Pete is already deep into his training regimen which sounds challenging enough to make a young man breathless, let alone a senior citizen. But Pete isn’t your typical senior, having raised thousands for local charities over the past 12 years through challenging walks and climbing events.
We’re thrilled that Pete is so enthusiastic about helping to raise awareness of Raynaud’s and asked him for more background about his son Russell’s condition and how it’s affected his life.
Son Russell’s Raynaud’s
Pete Jackson’s 48-year-old son Russell was first diagnosed with Raynaud’s disease three years ago. This condition causes poor circulation in his hands, feet, and limbs, leading to joint pain, especially in cold environments. His symptoms progress from red to blue to purple, indicating the severity of his condition. Like many Raynaud’s sufferers, Pete’s family’s initial efforts seeking help from Russell’s local doctor were met with a dismissive attitude and no support. Frustrated with the lack of help, Russell changed GP’s and was fortunate to find a newly graduated doctor who diagnosed his symptoms promptly.
Once Russell was diagnosed, Pete and his son sought information online, consulted his GP, and even received advice from Pete’s granddaughter who is in the medical profession. Through further evaluation, it was discovered that Russell’s Raynaud’s is secondary to fibromyalgia and is further complicated by his scoliosis. To alleviate his symptoms, Russell had to step down from his manual work by first reducing his hours and eventually changing jobs. Even his hobbies were affected as he had to become a fair-weather fisherman.
Managing the pain associated with Raynaud’s has been challenging for him, as he is unable to take certain pain medications due to work restrictions. However, his workmates and bosses have been understanding and accommodating. He’s also found some relief from compression gloves, bamboo and copper socks, sherpa jackets, electric blankets, and extra layers for comfort. Despite not being able to take Raynaud’s medications due to side effects, Russell finds ways to cope and continue living a fulfilling life.
Pete’s Fundraising Adventure Passion
Pete is passionate about giving back to the community and has been a man with a mission for some time. Over the past 14 years, he has been participating in various challenges to raise funds for different charities and local hospices. Last year, he climbed TWO MOUNTAINS (Snowdon and Pen-y-Fan) in ONE DAY to raise money for Ukrainian children at the school he works for. This year, Pete is embarking on the ultimate challenge of trekking for charity, something he has always wanted to do.
Aware of the lack of awareness and funding for Raynaud’s disease, Pete is dedicated to raising funds to support research and raise awareness for the condition. He encourages parents and family members of Raynaud’s sufferers to be supportive, whether they are children or older individuals.
Pete Jackson’s determination to help causes close to his heart showcases the power of community support and how one person’s efforts can make a huge difference in the lives of others. He continues to inspire people through his fundraising efforts and commitment to needy causes. Your contributions to his upcoming climbing adventure can have a significant impact in raising awareness and funding for Raynaud’s disease.
We have a policy not to promote GoFundMe pages, but you can find more information about Pete’s fundraising efforts and a link to support his mission here. His page is now open for donations. Let’s show Pete strong support from the Raynaud’s community for his worthy trek up Mount Kilimanjaro!
