15 Peaks Welsh 3000 Under 24 Hours For Cancer Charities

Following on from doing the 3 Peaks last year, next month I am taking on my biggest physical challenge to date, the 15 Peaks or the Welsh 3000 which is regarded as one of the toughest 24 hour hiking challenges in the UK.

For contrast, the 3 Peaks is the tallest mountain in Scotland (Ben Nevis - 1345m/4413ft), England (Scafell Pike - 978m/3210ft) and Wales (Snowdon - 1085m/3559ft) in 24 hours which was tough 37km trek but the transportation between the mountains allowed you several hours to rest and recover. The 15 Peaks however is 15 mountains all over 3000ft in height, across 3 mountain ranges and all of it is done on foot with no transportation at any point and all done in under 24 hours while covering about 50km in distance.

The 3 Peaks has Ben Nevis, the tallest mountain in Britain and I don't have to contend with that. However I will have to climb Snowdon again which is the 2nd tallest mountain in the 3 Peaks challenge and there are 7 mountains taller than Scafell Pike and the rest are very close to Scafell Pike's height. By all accounts this is a very tough challenge.

The Snowdon Massif

1 - Crib Goch - 3028ft (923m)

2 - Garnedd Ugain - 3494ft (1065m)

3 - Snowdon - 3559ft (1085m)

The Glyderau

4 - Elidir Fawr - 3031ft (924m)

5 - Y Garn - 3106ft (947m)

6 - Glyder Fawr - 3284ft (1001m)

7 - Glyder Fach - 3261ft (994m)

8 - Tryfan - 3011ft (918m)

The Carneddau

9 - Pen yr Ole Wen - 3208ft (978m)

10 - Carnedd Dafydd - 3425ft (1044m)

11 - Carnedd Llewelyn - 3490ft (1064m)

12 - Yr Elen - 3156ft (962m)

13 - Foel Grach - 3202ft (976m)

14 - Garnedd Gwenllian - 3038ft (926m)

15 - Foel-Fras - 3090ft (942m)

Now, no challenge is complete without a charity fundraiser and this is no different. I will be raising money that will be split between 2 local charities, the Guernsey Society for Cancer Relief and the Guernsey Community Nurses.

The Guernsey Society for Cancer Relief's main role is to provide assistance to cancer sufferers and their families when the extra financial burdens are beyond the capabilities of the family.

The Guernsey Community Nurses provide phenomenal care and treatment for those battling cancer and in truth I cannot put into words the remarkable work nurses do to look after those in need.

You will struggle to find anyone who has not been impacted by cancer in some way or another whether it impacted you, a family member, a friend or a co-worker, that is the sad reality we are dealing with when it comes to cancer. A very close friend of mine, Amelia Smitheram, lost her sister, Belinda Soddy, last year after a very brave battle with cancer. I only met Belinda a few times but each time I was met with great warmth and joy with a beaming smile that I had grown accustomed to from the rest of the family so I know had I had the pleasure of sharing Belinda's company that I would have got on well with her as I have done with the rest of the family.

Earlier this year Amelia and her family put on a fantastic fundraiser and managed to raise a lot of money for the Guernsey Society for Cancer Relief and the Guernsey Community Nurses for all that they did for Belinda.

It made me reflect on my past struggles on not understanding life, depression and suicide. How it made me shutdown and become a recluse as I battled the demons in my head, not wanting anyone to get too close in fear that if I lost that battle in my head that it would hurt people around me if they were too close. That is why I kept everyone at arm's length and would completely distance myself from people if they got too close which must have been very confusing for anyone involved with me at the time and I apologise greatly but in my sick mind at the time, I thought I was doing everyone a favour.

Amelia probably got it the worst as she was the most persistent despite at times I was a horrible friend to her, being abrupt and dismissive and distant out of nowhere and yet she kept trying time and time again. I wasn't socialising much at the time but on the times I did it was thanks to her constant invitations even despite the countless no shows. But when I did show up I was welcomed by her and her parents like I was part of the family and they let me treat their home as if it were my own.

I don't think Amelia or her parents understand how much I appreciate their kindness at a time where I probably didn't deserve it from the way I would act. Having that outlet that I could visit from time to time no matter how long it was since the last visit. I was always met with warmth and kindness.

Anything is okay in moderation and I am a big advocate for taking time alone for yourself to reflect and recharge but in this instance I went too far and went into isolation and got stuck in a rut. Having those brief moments outside my bubble to break that cycle and keep some contact with the outside world beyond my family was hugely beneficial to my recovery.

I know nothing I do or say can make up for their loss but I feel I have to do something to say thank you to a family that helped me during my struggles and to honour the memory of Belinda Soddy who encapsulated the family values and characteristics. This is why I choose to raise money for the same charities that the Smitheram family raised money for, the Guernsey Society for Cancer Relief and the Guernsey Community Nurses .

So, if you will please share this page to give it as much exposure as possible and if you are kind enough to donate, it is all extremely appreciated and all the money raised will be split between the Guernsey Society for Cancer Relief and the Guernsey Community Nurses which are two amazing charities doing amazing work and I am sure everyone reading this can relate to the importance of medical care, especially when it comes to cancer as it has impacted nearly everyone in some way or another.

Lets raise some money and climb those mountains.

Peace and love

David