Sports Events
10nTaff for Tŷ Hafan
Between June 30th and July 2nd 2022 a group of nine Dads and Uncles, whose families have been supported by the children's hospice Ty Hafan, climbed the five highest mountains in North Wales, the five highest mountains in South Wales and then cycled from Brecon to Cardiff along the Taff Trail. Over 55 hours and 20 minutes the team walked 38.8 miles in 25 hrs and 27 mins gaining 3822m (12540 feet) in height and then cycled 53 miles in 7 hrs 17 mins gaining 880m (2888 feet) in height. The nine participants were Stuart Bratcher, Matt Evans, James Hale-Davies, Georgie Fear, Paul Fears, James Meacham, Laurence Morgan, Lee Morgan, and Chris Thomas with a support team of Andrew Evans, Jason Foster, David Haines-Knight, Dave Hinton, and Wayne Thomas. The group raised over £40,000 for the charity. This is their story. Donate via their <a href="https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/10NTAFF" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Just Giving page</a>
10nTaff Training
A group of <a href="https://www.tyhafan.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Tŷ Hafan</a> Dads, Uncles and Brothers of children who are or have been supported by the South Wales-based hospice have announced their latest breath-taking fundraising challenge. Between June 30th and July 2nd 2022 (postponed from 2020 due to coronavirus outbreak), the team will climb ten Welsh mountains and then cycle 52 miles from Brecon to Cardiff along the Taff Trail. However, this must be completed in a maximum of 55 hours. This new challenge is called the <strong>#10nTaff</strong>. Here is a photographic diary of my training. Website: <a href="https://5in55.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">10nTaff 10 mountain and 52 mile cycling challenge</a> Just Giving page: <a href="https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/10ntaff" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">10nTaff for Ty Hafan - Paul Fears</a>
5in55 Mountain Challenge
Between the 4th and 7th July 2018, a group of men with links to Tŷ Hafan climbed and travelled between five mountains in under 55 hours. The #5in55 challenge was organised to raise funds for Tŷ Hafan and awareness of men's mental health. <a href="https://www.tyhafan.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Tŷ Hafan</a> is a children's hospice located just outside Barry in South Wales. The #5in55 team included Dads and Uncles of children who have received care at the hospice along with sponsors and Tŷ Hafan staff. The full story of the challenge can be read in this blog: <a href="https://paulfearsphoto.co.uk/blog/2019/05/23/national-walking-month/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">5 Mountains in 55 Hours Story for National Walking Month</a>
BikeBoatBoot Challenge for Tŷ Hafan
Between the 27th and 30th June 2024, a team of nine incredible men set off to hike, cycle and kayak the length of Wales. The team was made up from dads whose children are being or have been cared for by Tŷ Hafan - Anthony Boggis, Paul Fears, Dan Forbes, James Meacham, Lee Morgan, Chris Thomas and Ryan Tomlinson, an uncle Laurence Morgan, and Jason Foster, Tŷ Hafan's Director of Finance and Corporate Services. They were supported by an amazing team - Matt Brock, Andrew Evans, David-Haines-Knight, Dave Hinton and Wayne Thomas - and were guided over the mountains by the JT Expeditions of Jake, Joe, Dean and Will. In 4 days they hiked, cycled and kayaked for over 42 hours, covering 200 miles and ascending over 19,250 feet (the height of the 5 mountains climbed on the 5in55 challenge, Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike, Snowdon, Cadair Idris and Pen-y-Fan, was 12,219 feet). This is their story. Just Giving > <a href="https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/bike-boat-boot" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/bike-boat-boot</a>
Road To 100 Josh Llewellyn Jones
In July 2021, <a href="https://www.joshlj24.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Josh Llewellyn Jones OBE</a> is taking on another crazy challenge that includes an attempt at breaking a World Record. The details are yet to be announced, but as of September 2020, I started photographing Josh's training journey. The challenge is to raise awareness of cystic fibrosis and the connection between fitness and health. Find out more: <a href="https://www.joshlj24.com/event-details/2021-world-record-attempt" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">2021 World Record Attempt</a> Related galleries: <a href="https://paulfearsphoto.co.uk/blog/portfolio/24hrs4cf-one-million-kilo-challenge/">Josh Lifts One Million Kilos in 24 Hours </a>
Ty Hafan Welsh 3 Peaks
In 1998, <a href="https://www.tyhafan.org/welsh3peaks/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Ty Hafan staged the first Welsh 3 Peaks challenge</a>. Teams of 4 were tasked with climbing three Welsh mountains in just 15 hours. This involved covering 20.35 miles and ascending 9,397 feet. The event is made possible by GE Aviation (Nantgarw) who provide the support teams to manage the event. Without GE Aviation, staging the event would be impossible. I've taken part as a walker on two separate occasions and now photograph the event. It is a great day in the mountains, although the weather is not always the best. It is also one of the best team-building activities I have ever been involved with and I recommend any company to consider participating. <a href="https://www.tyhafan.org/welsh3peaks/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Find out more about the Ty Hafan Welsh 3 Peaks</a> Related blog: <a href="https://paulfearsphoto.co.uk/blog/2019/05/23/national-walking-month/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">5 Mountains in 55 Hours for Ty Hafan</a>. To discuss any photography assignment, please contact Paul on <a href="mailto:paul@paulfearsphoto.co.uk">paul@paulfearsphoto.co.uk</a>
Welsh 3 Peaks 2023 Cancer Research Wales
In June 2023, a group of over 40 people took on the Welsh 3 Peaks for Cancer Research Wales. The wonderfully supportive JT Expeditions guided the team up and down Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon), Cadair Idris and Pen-y-Fan. I joined the walkers on the 3 mountain challenge, photographing the team as they conquered all the mountains within 24 hours. It was tough, but I was in awe of the bravery and strength of character of this amazing group of walkers. Congratulations to you all. I was honoured to join you! You're all heroes! All the photographs taken are to thank you for taking part and so please download from the site or email me for logo-free high resolution copies.
