365-day hiking challenge raises £60,000 for charities

A former Christ College Brecon pupil has walked up Pen y Fan, South Wales’ highest peak, for 365 consecutive days. Des Lally embarked upon the challenge in March 2018 to raise vital funds for charities Help for Heroes and Cancer Research UK.

To mark the end of Des Lally’s fundraising efforts, Christ College Brecon held a celebration event for the former pupil who raised an incredible £60,000 for the two charities.

Gareth Pearson, Christ College Brecon Head, said:

We are very proud of Des’ fundraising efforts. Not only has he shown incredible physical and mental strength, but he has also shown true drive and commitment to giving back to the community.

Local businessman Martin Like, director of independent outdoor retailer Likeys said:

On behalf of the community, I’d like to express my gratitude to Des. This is an incredible achievement and I am in awe of the resilience and mental strength he showed throughout this physical challenge. Many were unsure if this challenge could be possible, but Des’s motivation and dedication showed that it is.

Present to accept the cheque on behalf of Help for Heroes was community recovery manager Shelley Elgin and veteran Jim Whitworth. Jim highlighted how he himself had benefitted from the support structures available to veterans offered by Help for Heroes.

Lynne Eagles, senior local fundraising manager accepted the cheque on behalf of Cancer Research UK and delighted the guests with a ‘Ditty for Des’, acknowledging the incredible efforts of Des throughout this challenge.

As a memento of his achievement, Christ College Old Breconian’s Association presented Des with a canvas caricature of Des, created by Oddgods.