We can move move move any mountain!
On paper, the challenge was simple enough: climb Snowdon, Cadair Idris and Pen y Fan within 24 hours. Easy, right?
In reality, it was something entirely different.
The devil is in the detail – so we’re told, and my-oh-my, the detail of this challenge was daunting. For some of us, the 2am call time was enough to make us doubt ourselves, for others, the logistics of loo breaks whilst ascending wild – and facility-free mountains was anxiety inducing and for everyone involved, the sheer scale of what we were attempting – over 17 miles and 2330m of ascent in less than 18 hours, was a colossal concept, fast becoming our reality.
There were aching legs, tired minds, moments where every step felt harder than the last, and the inevitable question we all asked ourselves at some point: Why did we sign up for this?
But there was also laughter.
Encouragement.
Shared determination.
And the quiet understanding that nobody would be left behind.
Every summit was reached together.
As we celebrate WMRSASC’s 40th anniversary, the challenge was always about more than fundraising.
It was about standing together for survivors.
Every member of the team has a different role within WMRSASC, but on this day titles disappeared. We became walkers, encouragers, navigators, snack distributors, cheerleaders, wild-wee-wall makers and occasionally comedians when morale needed lifting.
Some people found strength when they didn’t think they had any left.
Others discovered that simply walking beside someone can make the toughest climb feel possible.
It reminded us of something we see every day in our work.
Recovery rarely happens alone.
Neither does reaching the summit.
One of the greatest successes of the challenge wasn’t measured in miles walked or mountains climbed.
It was the friendships that grew along the way.
Colleagues have become genuine friends. Since completing the challenge we’ve already formed a walking group and, perhaps unsurprisingly, we’re planning another adventure together – this time climbing Snowdon again in October.
That’s the kind of impact shared experiences can have.
Of course, there was another goal.
Together, we’ve now raised more than £10,700, including Gift Aid.
We are genuinely overwhelmed by the generosity of everyone who has donated, shared our campaign, cheered us on or simply believed in what we were trying to achieve.
Every pound raised will help strengthen our specialist support for survivors of sexual violence across our communities.
It will help ensure more adults, children and families have somewhere safe to turn.
It will help us continue delivering trauma-informed support when people need it most.
For that, we cannot thank you enough.
We’ve created a short film that captures the challenge far better than words ever could.
It doesn’t just show three mountains.
It captures the determination, the exhaustion, the teamwork and the sheer joy of reaching the finish together.
We hope you’ll take a few minutes to watch it.
If it inspires you, there is still time to support the campaign before it closes.
Every donation, whatever its size, will help us continue supporting survivors.
And if watching it leaves you wondering whether you could take on your own challenge- whether that’s climbing a mountain, running a race, organising a bake sale or doing something completely different – we’d love to hear from you.
Because that’s how change happens.
One person decides to do something. Then another joins them. Then another.
Until together, we achieve something that none of us could have done alone.
That’s exactly what happened on the Welsh Three Peaks Challenge.
And that’s exactly how we’ll continue supporting survivors for the next 40 years.
Huge thanks to Mark and his fantastic team from Your Adventure Challenge for supporting us from start to finish, and Middlebrook Productions for this fantastic film!
⛰️ Join us on the journey. Email business.support@wmrsasc.org.uk to find out how you can support us as an individual fundraiser or corporate sponsor.
Photo: The WMRSASC team at the summit of Snowdon.
We caught up with Lydia, our Counselling Services Team Lead, to see how she’s feeling, post-challenge…
What surprised you most about taking on the Welsh Three Peaks Challenge?
How much I enjoyed the training! I would never have classed myself as someone who enjoyed exercise in any way, shape or form – since training for the challenge I regularly go to the gym, enjoy going on long walks and riding my bike – I am a new woman! Sort of.
What will stay with you long after the challenge is over?
The sense of achievement and the great memories of bonding and laughing and mutual support with the fantastic team.
Why was completing this challenge for WMRSASC so important to you?
I feel so passionately about the amazing work we do at WMRSASC and I wanted to take part in something that celebrated the fact that despite constant changes and challenges we are still here after 40 years. We raised around £10k which all goes straight back in to funding counselling sessions and that is something I am really proud of because I know what a difference those sessions make to survivors.