Leader takes on Three Peaks Challenge

IT’S not quite climbing every mountain – but Carmarthenshire’s Leader is taking on the Three Peaks Challenge to raise money for local charities.

Cllr Emlyn Dole is also welcoming people to join him – or set themselves their own challenges.

He was spurred into action after attending an awards ceremony for participants in the Duke of Edinburgh scheme, now in its 60^th year.

To mark the anniversary, the Duke of Edinburgh’s Diamond Challenge has been set up, which is open to all ages.

People are asked to take on their own adventure, personal, or skill challenge, which can be anything from learning to knit to kayaking the Zambesi.

Cllr Dole has chosen to take on the Three Peaks Challenge – Snowdon in North Wales, Cadair Idris in Mid Wales and Pen y Fan in South Wales.

He will start with Snowdon on May 29, at 1085metres the highest mountain in Wales, a walk of around 10km.

On June 1, Cllr Dole will climb Cadair Idris, a four to five kilometre walk, and a height of 893m.

The last peak – Pen y Fan in the Brecon Beacons National Park – will be tackled on June 3, a five to nine kilometre walk and a height of 886m.

Cllr Dole said anyone was welcome to join him on any or all of the climbs, which would start at 10am on each of the days.

“I was inspired to take on this personal challenge after hearing about the achievements of the Duke of Edinburgh award winners,” Cllr Dole said.

“I have set myself this challenge with all sponsorship raised going to two local charities, and I would like to invite people to either join me on my challenge or set themselves their own challenge.”

The charities Cllr Dole are supporting are the Cronfa Eluned Mair Daniel Trust, set up by Eluned’s family after she suffered brain damage following a heart attack at the age of 21.

The other charity is the Upper Gwendraeth Sports and Community Association.

A Just Giving account is being set up for people to make donations.