Mahadev’s Pen y Fan Challenge
One of Brecon’s most respected Nepali residents, Mahadev Thapa, is currently undertaking the task of walking up Pen y Fan 60 times in 45 days to celebrate his 60th birthday on September 22nd 2021. Mahadev, or Dibby as he’s commonly known, is raising money for Wales Air Ambulance and Sunrise Primary School in Yanchok, his hometown in Nepal.
The school was founded by his grandfather in 1955, after he left the Gurkha Army. Mahadev and his family have been supporting the school ever since. Now it is in danger of being closed by the authorities in Nepal and this would mean that the local schoolchildren would have to travel for miles by foot to receive their education. The school urgently needs money to retain teachers and purchase IT equipment.
Mahadev moved to Brecon in 2007 after a 15 year career with The Brigade of Gurkhas, serving as a Queen’s Gurkha Royal Engineer and then in the Brunei Government’s Gurkha Reserve Unit. His family boasts four generations of Gurkhas, including presently his son.
Since 2008, Mahadev has worked for Powys County Council in the Maintenance and then Highways Departments. He has taken the lead in looking after Brecon Cemetery and its surrounding areas. He spent his own time to create flower beds around the Chapel within the grounds. During the COVID pandemic he maintained the Gurkha path along the river Usk. He ensured that the overgrowth was cut back and the wooden bridge and step structures were repaired after flooding.
Brecon Town Mayor, Councillor John Powell said: “I have walked up Pen y Fan to support Mahadev with his challenge. He has done so much for our community here in Brecon, it is my pleasure to support him”.
If you would like to donate towards Wales Air Ambulance or Sunrise Primary School in Yanchok, the details are:
https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/mahadev-thapa or Nepalese Fund
Account holder: Gwyneth Evans, Nat West Bank, sort code 51 81 27 account number 86726692. A bucket collection for both charities will take place in Brecon Town centre on Friday September 10th. Anyone wishing to accompany Mahadev on his walks, are welcome to contact him on 07920 473772.