Welsh soldiers take on Everest-level challenge for Dreams & Wishes

03/03/2025

A big thank you to soldiers from A Squadron, 1st The Queen’s Dragoon Guards (QDG), who took part in an epic endurance challenge to mark St David’s Day – climbing Pen y Fan, the highest peak in southern Britain, 10 times in just 24 hours, all to raise vital funds for Dreams & Wishes.

The challenge, dubbed the Ten Y Fan, saw the squadron is pushing their physical and mental limits as they battled through the night to complete it. They smashed their initial £3,000 target  - and didn't stop there.

“Each individual in A Squadron, 1st The Queen’s Dragoon Guards, scaled Pen y Fan ten times in 24 hours to raise money for Dreams & Wishes. This charity is very close to our hearts, and every St David’s Day, each squadron competes in various feats of derring-do to raise funds for such an important cause,” said Sgt L Stafford.

Standing at 886m, 10 ascents of Pen y Fan is roughly the equivalent of summiting Mount Everest (8,848m). The challenge is a gruelling test of endurance, but the squadron is determined to see it through in honour of the charity.

The event holds special meaning this year, as Emma Tamplin, mother of Meg, joined the squadron alongside Dreams & Wishes volunteers to lay a floral tribute – a bouquet of daffodils – in memory of her daughter. Meg passed away on 28th February 2019, and had once climbed Pen y Fan alongside Tony Curtis MBE, chairman of Dreams & Wishes. Achieving that climb was one of Meg’s dreams following her diagnosis, and her legacy continues to inspire others to take on the challenge.

Emma said: “It was a special day as the incredible challenge taken on by 1st The Queen’s Dragoon Guards fell on the sixth anniversary of Meg’s passing. We brought a beautiful bouquet of daffodils to remember her and the day she climbed Pen y Fan—what an incredible moment that was. The sun came out, and it’s been a truly special experience I will never forget.”

Major Jimmy Cowen, who spoke during two legs of the challenge, added: “We’re incredibly proud to support Dreams & Wishes once again as part of our St David’s Day challenge. It’s fantastic to be in Wales this year, and we’re honoured to be associated with people who do such fantastic work.”