On 20 August 2026, I will be taking part in an extraordinary challenge in support of Royal Voluntary Service.

Climbing Pen y Fan once is an achievement in itself. At 886 metres, it is the highest mountain in southern Britain. But we're not stopping there.

We will climb Pen y Fan five times in a single day – a total ascent of more than 4,400 metres, equivalent to climbing Mont Blanc, the highest mountain in Western Europe. As a team, we will also be working towards an even bigger goal by collectively climbing the equivalent height of Mount Everest three times over.

We are taking on this challenge to raise money for Royal Voluntary Service, whose volunteers transform lives every day. They support older people to live independently, help patients return home safely from hospital, provide practical support to NHS staff, tackle loneliness, and deliver specialist services for people living with dementia and their carers.

The money we raise will help Royal Voluntary Service recruit, train and support more volunteers, expand dementia support services, and provide practical help to people and communities when they need it most.

Every donation, no matter the size, will make a real difference. Please support our challenge and help us reach our fundraising target. Together, we can make every climb count.