JUST two weeks after tackling Snowdon, Mike Peters is embarking on an even bigger trek this weekend as he heads off for a pilgrimage to Mount Fuji.
The Alarm frontman will be joined by a host of musicians, including Donavon Frankenreiter, Matt Grundy, Glenn Tilbrook of Squeeze and Australian rocker Brien McVernon, on his trip to Japan.
It’s his latest fundraising venture, Mount Fuji Rocks, which sees him combine hiking with music, for his Love Hope Strength (LHS) foundation, which supports cancer sufferers around the globe.
Peters, who has twice battled cancer himself, will be leading a group of 30 cancer survivors and supporters from four continents to the summit of Mount Fuji.
The journey, taking place from today until August 29, will raise money and support for the international bone marrow donor registry and LHS’s efforts to help people everywhere – regardless of economic status or location – gain access to life-saving treatments.
The trekkers will begin at The Fuji Sengen Shrine, where the pilgrims of more than 500 years ago came to pray before they started their climb up the sacred mountain.
After a two-day journey on foot, the hike will culminate with a musical ceremony at the summit. The trek will be followed by a voyage to Fuji Yoshida for the Fire Festival or Yoshida no Himatsuri, an annual festival held to appease the Goddess of Mount Fuji and mark the end of the hiking season.
The Mount Fuji trek is the 10th musical voyage Peters has led.
His previous musical pilgrimages include Mount Everest in Nepal, the highest concert performed on land; Mount Kilimanjaro in Africa; Machu Picchu in Peru; the Empire State Building in New York and Pikes Peak in America.
Two weeks ago, the father-of-two performed another concert at Mount Snowdon, which is near his North Wales home.
Last weekend he was in South Wales for Rhondda Rocks, which saw those taking part trek through Dare Valley Country Park before a gig at Muni Arts Centre in Pontypridd for which Peters was joined by Ocean Colour Scene frontman Simon Fowler.
“Cancer is now the world’s leading cause of death,” says Peters. “This event, like others before, will drum up funds to fight the disease with something tangible and hopefully produce inspiration to many people touched by cancer. The deep spiritual virtues of Mount Fuji and the warm, wonderful Japanese culture provide an incredible setting for this journey.
“We are at once thankful to the Japanese people for welcoming us and excited to wave the prayer flags on peak in a tribute to the love, hope and strength we have for all those who must endure cancer in one form or another.”
The Japan visit is Tilbrook’s third trek with LHS.
“Like many, I have had people close to me suffer from cancer and LHS are using vision and imagination to do some amazing things,” he says. “I have been lucky enough to experience the warmth and generosity of the Japanese people and feel sure they will join me in my admiration and support of LHS.”
The Mount Fuji Rocks experience will be documented by director/producer Alex Coletti.
Also joining the crew will be James Chippendale, cancer survivor and co-founder of LHS.
He says: “Everyone coming with us to Japan this year understands that music is a hugely powerful vehicle for change. In under two years, we have brought bone marrow donor registry programs to concerts in the US and started the first saliva based testing in the UK.
“The results are tangible, with over 7,000 new people signed on and 35 potentially life-saving matches found already. I am living proof that bone marrow donation can save a life and it’s my hope that through events like this we can accelerate these life-giving programs.”
To support Mount Fuji Rocks or future LHS initiatives visit www.lovehopestrength.org
To view this article online at Wales Online click here.
