Following the recent story of Newport sailor Luke Rossiter's plan to sail solo across the Atlantic after a Stage 3 cancer diagnosis, local Financial Services company Beesure is rallying their team for an intensive mountain trek to back their lifelong friend.
Beesure Black Mountains Challenge 2026
On Saturday, May 30, the Beesure team, along with friends and family, will take on the Beesure Black Mountains Challenge 2026. The event is a 20.3-mile circular trek involving an elevation gain of over 5,200 feet. The team aims to summit three of the region's most iconic peaks: the Skirrid, the Sugar Loaf, and the Blorenge, all within a single day.
The initiative is deeply personal for the Newport-based firm. Many of the team at Beesure have known Luke for 30 years, and his diagnosis earlier this year sparked an immediate commitment to support his journey.
Luke's Remarkable Recovery
Luke's path to recovery has been as unique as it is grueling; he was the only patient at the Royal Gwent Hospital receiving this specific, high-intensity chemotherapy regimen. The physical toll of the treatment has been matched only by the emotional magnitude of the results. After just six weeks and two cycles of intensive chemotherapy, Luke has received the incredible news that he is officially in remission.
Upon receiving the news, Luke admitted to being overwhelmed with emotion, sharing that he "cried nonstop for two days" in a mix of shock and relief. Mr Rossiter said: "It's an incredible milestone and one I'm hugely grateful for." Thanks to his active lifestyle and incredible strength of will, Luke was able to make a significant difference to his journey. He noted: "Because I was fit, healthy, and relatively young, I was able to be offered this more intensive and ultimately more effective treatment option. Without that, my pathway would have looked very different."
Team Motivation and Fundraising
This level of bravery is driving the Beesure team to push through their own physical limits on the mountains this May. The team are currently preparing for the Beesure Black Mountains Challenge with extra motivation following the amazing news of Luke's remission. The funds raised through the trek will support Luke's GoFundMe, which facilitates his crossing in a Sigma 33 sailboat and benefits Cancer Research UK and REST, a repatriation charity.
The challenge involves over 5,200 feet of elevation gain and is expected to take between seven and nine hours of relentless trekking. To mark the completion of the hike and the fundraising total, the team will host a celebratory reception in Newport.
How to Support
Beesure is inviting the local community to support the cause by donating to Luke's GoFundMe page. Full details of the challenge and Luke's story can be found at: https://bee-sure.co.uk/beesure-black-mountains-challenge-2026/
Location: Newport, Gwent
