Army Officer Leads Gruelling 10-Peak Challenge for Armed Forces Charity
Major Grant Powell is teaming up with two friends to undertake an extraordinary fundraising challenge: climbing Pen Y Fan, the highest peak in South Wales, ten times within a 24-hour period. This ambitious event, named TenYFan, will take place on May 9 in the scenic Bannau Brycheiniog National Park, formerly known as the Brecon Beacons.
A Mammoth Ascent Equivalent to Everest
Each ascent of Pen Y Fan involves a climb of 2,907 feet to the summit, with the descent adding to the difficulty. Over ten repetitions, the trio will cover a total distance of more than 58,000 feet of challenging terrain. Remarkably, the cumulative ascent alone reaches 29,070 feet, which is 40 feet higher than the elevation of Mount Everest.
The team consists of Grant Powell, an Army officer in the Royal Signals based at Blandford Camp, police officer Christopher Hopkin, and customer care coordinator Luke Gregory. They have chosen SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity, as their beneficiary, a decision Grant describes as natural given his military background.
Inspired by Military Service and Charity Support
Grant Powell, who joined the Army as an officer in 2011 and was commissioned into the Royal Corps of Signals in 2012, explained his motivation. "SSAFA was the natural choice to support," he said. "Although I've never needed the charity directly, I’ve seen first-hand the amazing support it offers to soldiers in their time of need and, sadly, families when there has been a soldier's death. They have been an incredible charity to support in the past and will remain my number one choice in the future."
He added that his decision to join the Signals was inspired by a good friend and aligned well with his technical background. In the past year, Grant has participated in several endurance events, including the Newport Half Marathon, London Marathon, and Ironman Wales, with the latter being his hardest challenge so far. However, he anticipates that TenYFan will rival it in difficulty.
Community Support and Charitable Impact
Elizabeth Rossiter, senior events officer at SSAFA, praised the team's efforts. "Fundraisers like Grant and his team have a direct impact on SSAFA’s mission — to support those in the Armed Forces community during their time of need because no one should ever battle alone," she said. "This group are incredible supporters of SSAFA. The determination they’ve shown — both in their training and in taking on such a demanding challenge — truly reflects the spirit of our Armed Forces community. We're cheering on Grant, Luke and Chris and wishing them all the best for May."
The challenge highlights the dedication of individuals within the military and their allies to support charitable causes, demonstrating resilience and community spirit in the face of formidable physical tests.
