Twelve members of staff from Ysgol Gymraeg Gilfach Fargod have come together to support Dylan Williams, a Year 2 pupil who has been diagnosed with Leukaemia.
Staff worked together to climb Pen y Fan enough times so that the total amount climbed adds up to the height of climbing Mount Everest. As Mount Everest is 8848m, and Pen y Fan, when climbing from Pont ar Daf car park, is 446m, Pen y Fan needed to be climbed 20 times between the group.
The idea was developed during a staff meeting. The Parent Teacher Association (PTA) had raised money for the family during the school Christmas fair, where parents and pupils contributed to raising money for Dylan. Staff felt that they also wanted to contribute to this great cause by coming together themselves.
Every penny of the sponsored climb raised is going towards supporting the family of 6 year old Dylan with £2000 being raised so far with still donations coming in.
Mr Hallett (Executive Head Teacher) and Mr Hopton (Deputy Head Teacher) climbed Pen y Fan four times each. Both set out in the dark at 7am and finished at 4:30pm as the sun started to set over the beacons.
Mr Jamie Hallett, Executive Head Teacher commented, “I am extremely proud of my staff for contributing so much to such a worthy cause. Dylan is a very happy and popular member of our school family and as a group of staff we were determined to do something to support the family during this difficult time.
“I know that the family wholeheartedly appreciated our support and well wishes as Dylan continues to receive his treatment for Leukaemia”
Mr and Mrs Williams, Dylan’s parents added, “We would like to thank the school for their support. We really appreciate it.”
A special thanks to all of the incredible teachers involved: Jamie Hallett, Aled Hopton, Amy James, Emily Pash, Cariad Casey, Bethan Chard, Andrea Thompson, Mirain Sellick, Cai Ireland, Rhian Darch, Elenid Marsh and Claire Pugh
