Over the last five years 86-year-old Ian Waddell has taken part in a few challenges in support of Tŷ Hafan – climbing different mountains across south Wales.

Despite having raised more than £4,000 already and now suffering from severe osteoarthritis and heart problems, the former Paratrooper and founder of the super-tough Dragon’s Back endurance race, was determined to undertake one more challenge to support our charity, before hanging up his walking boots for good.

Ian, who lives in Abergavenny, gathered a team around him to support him with tackling Pen y Fan, which at 886m, is the highest mountain in southern Britain.

The climb was planned for Monday 30 September and despite the difficult weather conditions on the day, the team set off as planned at around 8am.

Walking unaided apart from a couple of walking poles, as pictured below, Ian managed to climb halfway up Pen y Fan, before the team decided that the deteriorating weather, with rain, wind and mist, would make it unsafe to continue and persuaded him to turn back.

Using his Veloped specialist walking frame, donated by the Swedish company Trionic for his challenge, Ian managed to return safely to the base of the mountain, disappointed at not having completed the climb, but realistic about what was achievable under the difficult conditions.

And ‘unstoppable’ Ian has raised more than £1,000, on his Justgiving page and at a recent fundraising day at Morrisons in Abergavenny, and says he is “delighted” to have gone beyond his £1,000 target.

Helen Morgan, Senior Community Fundraiser for Tŷ Hafan, said: “We are so grateful to Ian for his ongoing loyal support for the hospice, over a long period of time.

“Despite various issues with his health, he was not to be dissuaded from trying one last challenge to raise money for us – Ian was very determined to go ahead in spite of the difficulties. Now having done this, and taking into account everything he has done for us, Ian is helping us to make sure that families who live knowing that their child’s life will be short, are not alone through their child’s life, death and beyond.”

She added: “We are all very grateful to Ian, and his support team, for this incredible effort for Tŷ Hafan.”

If you would like to support Ian’s challenge, then you can donate here: Ian Waddell is fundraising for Tŷ Hafan (justgiving.com)