A sailor from Llanelli was joined by 15 shipmates from HMS Queen Elizabeth as he completed the daunting Three Peaks Challenge to raise funds for Armed Forces charity Help for Heroes.
Naval Airman Rhys Gwilliam, 25, was part of a team from the Portsmouth-based ship that successfully climbed the highest mountains of England, Scotland, and Wales within 24 hours.
Starting with the 1,345m Ben Nevis, the 16-strong group moved on to scale Scafell Pike (978m), in the Lake District National Park, and then Mount Snowdon (1,085m), as they looked to hit – and surpass – their fundraising target of £3,000.
Organiser Kieran James, 27, also a Naval Airman onboard the Navy’s fleet flagship, said: “We all felt strongly that we wished to help raise money for a charity that does so much to support military veterans. It may be one of us – or one of our colleagues – who needs to call on that support in the future.
“We chose to complete the National Three Peaks Challenge as it was, clearly, a good physical test for us, something that would live long in our memories, and, logistically, over and done with quickly.
“It was tough going in places, but we’re trained to overcome such challenges and we achieved it with only a few bruises and blisters to show for it. We’re hoping people will support us in this venture and pledge a few pounds to help us help veterans who have been left with something significantly more substantial than bruises or blisters as a result of serving their country.”
John Carpenter, Help for Heroes area fundraising manager, said: “Our thanks go out to the guys from HMS Queen Elizabeth for their sterling efforts. It’s heart-warming to see today’s military personnel putting themselves out for those who trod the path before them. Hopefully, none of the team will require support from us in the future, but, if they do, they can rest assured we’ll be there for them as we have been for thousands of others before them.”
Help for Heroes believes those who serve our country deserve support when they’re wounded. Every day, men and women have to leave their career in the Armed Forces as a result of physical or psychological wounds. The Charity helps them, and their families, to recover and get on with their lives. It has already supported more than 26,500 people and won’t stop until every wounded veteran gets the support they deserve.
To donate to the team’s monumental effort visit justgiving.com/fundraising/qehandlers3peaks
