Tributes to fundraiser who climbed three peaks aged 89
AN inspirational charity fundraiser who completed the Welsh Three Peaks mountain challenge at the age of 89 has passed away.
Laurie Brophy undertook the challenge – which involves scaling the three highest mountains in Wales – to raise money for a homeless charity. After completing the climbs, Laurie spent the night sleeping rough in a show of solidarity with those who do not have a home to call their own.
Last summer’s mountain adventure was just the latest in a series of fundraising challenges undertaken by the remarkable former teacher from Pencoed near Bridgend which have taken him around the UK and around the world.
But now it has emerged that while undertaking the Three Peaks, Laurie had undiagnosed advanced oesophageal cancer. His family say he passed away on Thursday surrounded by his loved ones. They described Laurie as “fiercely independent up to the end” and said he “certainly did not go gentle into that good night”.
In a statement shared by Laurie’s daughter Katy on her Facebook page she wrote: “I’m very sad to announce that Laurie passed away on Thursday, June 16. Those following Laurie’s challenge last summer may remember he was struggling with ill health and needed to adapt his challenge accordingly, but still managed the incredible feat at age 89 of climbing the three Welsh peaks. What Laurie didn’t know at the time was that he had advanced oesophageal cancer.
“Laurie found this out in January this year, unfortunately too late for treatment, so he set about his final challenge in dealing with this in his own way, with incredible stoicism. He didn’t want anyone to know, wanted to be as normal as possible and certainly didn’t want any ‘fuss’. He was fiercely independent up to the end, and certainly did not go gentle into that good night.
“I hope it’s a comfort to those who cared for him that he died peacefully at home with family and wasn’t in pain in his final days.”
The Welsh Three Peaks challenge undertaken to raise funds for homeless charity Llamau – was the latest adventure for the indomitable pensioner. In 2020 Laurie raised thousands for Llamau when he became the oldest person to cycle from Land’s End to John O’Groats, and he also completed numerous long-distance walks including the Offa’s Dyke trek from Prestatyn to Chepstow in aid of Y Bont, the charity which supports disabled children. He has also run marathons all over the globe, and has hiked across the Atacama desert in Chile.
The family Facebook statement added: “I know so many will agree with me that Laurie was one of a kind and lived an incredible life full of adventures and giving to others through his teaching, fundraising, environment and community work and of course as an inspirational and wonderful father and grandfather.
“His unbelievable challenges were an inspiration to so many and I’m sure many people will have wonderful memories of the ways he has had an impact on their lives for the better.
“May I say a huge thank you on his behalf and from his family for all the wonderful support people have given him over the years, he was incredibly humble but it meant so much to him to be able to make any small difference to people and communities, charities, etc.”