Health board staff take on 24-hour hiking challenge for charity

Lauren Thomas and Kim Wilyman are taking on 10YFan this May Photo credit: CAVUHB

Two Cardiff and Vale University health board staff members are taking on a hiking challenge to raise money for charity.

Kim Wilyman and Lauren Thomas, from the Cardiff and Vale Public Health Team, have signed up to the 10YFan challenge this May.

It involves scaling the 2,907ft-high Pen Y Fan in Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons) 10 times in the space of 24 hours.

Money raised will go towards the Cardiff & Vale Health Charity, the official charity supporting all the wards and departments within Cardiff and Vale University Health Board.

Lauren said: “I’m up for the challenge, and if I can complete 10 then fantastic - but this is definitely not something I’m used to doing. I’m hoping my knees hold out!”

Kim, who has completed several ultra-marathons in the last few years, said: “I used to work as a nurse in the University Hospital of Wales, so it’ll be lovely to give something back to the Cardiff & Vale Health Charity who do so much for patients and staff.

“My biggest concern is the length of time we’ll be climbing for and the mental aspect of just trying to keep going. But I know we’ll spur each other on and make sure morale is high.”

Weather permitting, the pair will start in the early evening on Saturday, May 10 and will continue walking throughout the night and into the following day.

Currently, a team of eight have chosen to take part in 10YFan for the Cardiff & Vale Health Charity and the number of climbs completed within 24 hours is up to each participant.

You can support the team and donate using their JustGiving page.