Every day, children with ALN show resilience, courage, and strength that most of us never have to find. This climb is for them.

Myself and my Mate are climbing Mount Toubkal, the highest peak in North Africa, to raise vital funds for Spectrum Support Hub — a local, voluntary, not-for-profit community group supporting neurodiverse children and their families across Merthyr Tydfil.

As a father of an autistic child, the work this group does is incredibly close to my heart. I see first-hand the daily challenges, the emotional strain, and the quiet determination it takes not just for the children, but for their parents and carers too. Spectrum Support Hub offers something truly special: understanding without judgement, support without conditions, and a sense of belonging when families need it most.

Spectrum Support Hub supports the local ALN community in practical, meaningful ways. They organise ALN-specific activities in local businesses, helping children access everyday spaces in a safe, inclusive, and supportive environment. They also run raffles, charity nights, and fundraising events in local venues bringing the community together while raising essential funds. These events do more than raise money; they raise awareness, reduce stigma, and help families feel seen, supported, and valued.

Like many small voluntary groups, Spectrum Support Hub relies entirely on fundraising and community support to survive. We need the support of the Merthyr Tydfil community to come together and help ensure the valuable work they do continues to support anyone in need.

Your donation could help fund:

• Inclusive ALN activity sessions in local businesses

• Community charity nights that keep support accessible

• Safe, welcoming spaces for children and parents who need understanding, not judgement

Climbing Mount Toubkal will be a huge physical and mental challenge for me. There will be moments of doubt, fatigue, and discomfort. But if I can show even an ounce of the resilience, determination, and strength that the children supported by Spectrum Support Hub show every single day, I know I’ll make it to the top.

This is about Merthyr Tydfil looking after its own — families, children, and carers who quietly show up every day.

Please donate if you can, share if you’re able, and help us make a real difference locally. Thank you for supporting a cause that means so much to me and my family.