Sheffield photographer fundraises to fix stile in Peak District stile following 200m fall

Wesley Chambers, 33, from Charnock is fundraising to replace the broken stile at Winnats Pass in Derbyshire and provide donations to the three Peak District charities that helped him after he lost his looting and plunged down the valley in the Peak District earlier this year.

The 33-year-old was busy photographing the wintry landscape at the top of Winnats Pass when he fell down the slope near Castleton in the Hope Valley on February 27.

Fellow photographer, Sam Walker who saw Wesley’s tumble came to his aid and helped bring him to flat land as they waited for Edale Mountain Rescue Team to check him over.

The 33-year-old who also works at Marks & Spencer in Meadowhall survived the fall with just a sprained wrist and hopes to repay the organisations that came to his assistance by crowdfunding to fix a stile in the Peak District that provides views of the tops of the Gorge and the Hope Valley.

The stile which has been used by walkers over the years is now on it’s ‘last legs’ with one side, where people would usually climb up, completely worn away.

"The stile will likely collapse soon and once that happens it makes an accessible route impassable and quite dangerous as there's barbed wire”, Wesley said.

"It prevents a lot of people who enjoy walking here from seeing the amazing views.

"It just felt like the right thing to do to give something back and help somehow.

"A lot of photographers use that stile to get over to the view point and because a lot of people climb over at the side of it, it is very dangerous to do that.

"To use the stile is the better way to see the fields."

He has raised £1,000 through public donations so far and aims to donate the remaining money to Edale Mountain Rescue, Peak District Foundation and Derbyshire Wildlife Trust.

Wesley continued: "I just wanted to do something to help these charities that offer essential services and are relying on funds at the moment.

"Sometimes Edale Mountain Rescue Team are getting 10 calls a day and going from one job to the next.

"There's been quite a lot of accidents, especially with people coming out in the lockdown.”

The photography ambassador for tourist information point Let’s Go Peak District explained how discovering nature has helped his anxiety and mental health.

"My own mental health, it has suffered when I was poorly and during the lockdown.

"I can imagine how everyone has been feeling and it's great just seeing everyone get out there really and it does make a massive difference as to how you feel, getting that activity and seeing those beautiful views.”

You can donate to Wesley’s fundraiser here.

Sheffield photographer survives terrifying 200m tumble down Peak District mountainside

‘Blade on a bike’ close to completing unique feat begun before coronavirus crisis

Teenager fears she'll go BLIND after taxi hit by wanted man in Sheffield police chase

Editor's message: Thank you for reading this story. The dramatic events of 2020 are having a major impact on our advertisers and thus our revenues. The Star is more reliant than ever on you taking out a digital subscription to support our journalism. You can subscribe here for unlimited access to Sheffield news and information online. Every subscription helps us continue providing trusted, local journalism and campaign on your behalf for our city.