Firefighter to take on Welsh Three Peaks in full kit for NHS charity

Josh Herman is taking on the Welsh Three Peaks challenge in full fire kit with breathing apparatus on his back.

Josh is climbing Pen y Fan, Cadair Idris and Snowdon to raise funds for Swyn Y Gwynt Mental Health Centre in Ammanford.

Josh will be joined by a mixture of operational and non-operational personnel from Mid and West Wales Fire station but will be the only one completing the challenge in full fire kit.

Josh said: “I will be taking part in the Welsh Three Peaks Challenge on the 6^th and 7^th September 2024 to raise money for the mental health centre in Ammanford.

“This service is very close to me personally, due to experiencing mental health issues in recent years and coming close to taking my own life. They helped me through the worst times I was faced with, and I cannot thank them enough for their support and encouragement.

“Being a male with mental health issues, it is very hard to open up, talk about it and reach out to receive the help you desperately want and need. Asking for help was the hardest and biggest step I made. However, Swyn Y Gwynt allowed me to express myself without judgement. My fundraising will hopefully help raise awareness and encourage men to speak out. There is a lot of stigma surrounding men’s mental health so I want to help make a difference for men, their families and friends.”

Nicola Llewellyn, Head of Hywel Dda Health Charities, said: “We’d like to say a massive good luck to Josh with his inspiring fundraiser. We’re so grateful for your support.

“The support of our local communities enables us to provide services over and above what the NHS can provide in the three counties of Hywel Dda and we are extremely grateful for every donation we receive.”

You can support the fundraiser here: https://www.justgiving.com/team/teammawwfirepeaks2024

For more details about the NHS charity and how you can help support local NHS patients and staff, go to www.hywelddahealthcharities.org.uk