Soldier sets himself mountain challenge run for the NHS

A SOLDIER from Carmarthen has set himself a fundraising challenge of running the length of the Brecon Beacons within 24 hours for the NHS.

Sergeant Simon Smith, aged 37, is setting a date in June for the run, which will cover around 60 miles across the Beacons from Abergavenny in the east to their western edge at Llandeilo.

Sergeant Smith is based at Sennybridge and with the 3rd Battalion Parachute Regiment of the British Army.

All his family are still based in Carmarthen and he is the chairman of the Carmarthen Triathlon Club.

He was previously with the 1st Battalion The Royal Welsh.

In 2012 while serving in Afghanistan he bravely protected 14 of his men from an onslaught of Taliban gunfire when enemy attackers launched three ambushes on their patrol.

As a result, he was given a Mention In Despatches - one of the oldest forms of recognition within the British Armed Forces.

Speaking about his Beacons challenge, Sergeant Smith said: “Our training areas are loyally covered by Neville Hall Hospital, Prince Charles Hospital in Merthyr Tydfil, Breconshire War Memorial Hospital, Glangwili Hospital and Morriston Hospital.”

Sergeant Smith added: “As I sit back in good health and with a fairly small part to play in the Army’s Covid-19 response, I feel I should be doing more.

“I am in a position of influence and have the fitness and motivation to do a challenge on a scale to get people to part with cash.”

Turning to the specifics of the fundraising run, he said: “My challenge is simple, start at the eastern edge of the Brecon Beacons at midnight and get to the western edge at Llandeilo within 24 hours.

“The biggest challenges will come in the second half of the challenge as I traverse the Pen Y Fan Range, Forest Fawr and the Black Mountain.

“It is my way of getting into the same mental space as a frontline NHS worker; tired, confused, scared but strong.

“I have had plenty of support from charity, it’s now my turn to support those out there everyday fighting the Covid-19 war.”

Sergeant Smith hopes to do the challenge on June 13, pending the lockdown situation by that time. Alternatively he will move the run to another Friday in June.

■ To sponsor him, visit his JustGiving page at www. justgiving.com/ fundraising/sismith beaconschallengefornhs