Dan's Uphill Struggle
Raising funds for the MND Association
03/03/2022
Here's a reminder of what I posted in January.
If anybody's interested in joining us, a group will be going up to the Brecon Beacons on the weekend of 6 / 7 / 8 May, staying at this campsite https://www.pitchup.com/campsites/Wales/Mid-Wales/Powys/Brecon/rhydywernen_farm_camping_site/?gclid=Cj0KCQiA64GRBhCZARIsAHOLriKO-mzt8mKbvpqkVvAyiCYO6Hxg_6Dscw3QeY_J6RBC129tiu1TcGcaAiEmEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds .
It's very basic (fresh water, toilet and shower) and at £19 per tent per night (based on 2 people, with no single person discount) it's not the best value but it's in a great location and is very picturesque.
There won't be any admin marquee or organised activities but there are plenty of walks (from the UK Special Forces 'Fan Dance' to the more sedate Waterfall Walk) so you'll be left to your own devices. There are experienced people going along and you'll probably be able to tag along with what they're doing but if you're going to explore on your own then make sure you've got all your essential kit and especially a map and compass.
It'd be great to see you again and if you 'enjoyed' what we did in Snowdonia the weekend will provide a further opportunity for you to get a taste of the outdoors.
Best,
Dave
Rhydywernen Farm Camping Site, Brecon - Updated 2022 prices - Pitchup® Book Rhydywernen Farm Camping Site in Powys from £19/nt. Family friendly, dogs allowed, toilet block and shower available. Best prices, easy booking, no fees with immediate confirmation.
17/01/2022
If anybody's interested in joining us, a group will be going up to the Brecon Beacons on the weekend of 6 / 7 / 8 May, staying at this campsite https://www.pitchup.com/campsites/Wales/Mid-Wales/Powys/Brecon/rhydywernen_farm_camping_site/ .
It's very basic (fresh water, toilet and shower) and at £19 per tent per night (based on 2 people, with no single person discount) it's not the best value but it's in a great location and is very picturesque.
There won't be any admin marquee or organised activities but there are plenty of walks (from the UK Special Forces 'Fan Dance' to the more sedate Waterfall Walk) so you'll be left to your own devices. There are experienced people going along and you'll probably be able to tag along with what they're doing but if you're going to explore on your own then make sure you've got all your essential kit and especially a map and compass.
It'd be great to see you again and if you 'enjoyed' what we did in Snowdonia the weekend will provide a further opportunity for you to get a taste of the outdoors.
Best,
Dave
Rhydywernen Farm Camping Site, Brecon - Updated 2022 prices - Pitchup® Book Rhydywernen Farm Camping Site in Powys from £19/nt. Family friendly, dogs allowed, toilet block and shower available. Best prices, easy booking, no fees with immediate confirmation.
13/10/2021
For all those who were enthused about our trip to Wales and asked, 'What's next?'
Here's your answer:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m0010m99/the-dragons-back-race
Only kidding, although the first 8 minutes or so does feature Snowdon quite heavily.
The Dragon’s Back Race The world’s toughest multi-day mountain race in Wales.
Well here it is. Dan has finished editing all of the video from the epic climb up Snowdon. Thank you to everyone who gave their time and effort to take on this amazing challenge and to those who sponsored and donated. It was an amazing experience and one I am sure everyone will remember for a very long time.
The video is also available on YouTube, here https://youtu.be/lHvpalGZJaw
Keep watching the page, you never know, we may do something else next year!
We are still working on the full video, but in the meantime, here is a photo montage to keep you going....
Well we are be back home safe and sound. A lot of aching legs and loads of stories to tell. The majority of the group managed to make it to the summit. Unfortunately due to mechanical failure Dan and the wheelchair only make it three quarters of the way up before the wheels became too damaged to continue and for safety reasons the difficult decision was made to stop the ascent and Dan and his son, Morgan, had to take the train back down to Llanberis.
Absolutely gutted but safety comes first.
A massive, massive thank you goes out to the guys pulling the wheelchair. The amount of effort they put in getting Dan three quarters the way up the mountain was astounding.
We were quite lucky with the weather as it was mild and drizzly for the most part but we had a couple of heavy showers hence why the live stream is stopped. As soon as we get a chance to collate them, we will be putting up lots of photos and videos of the event.
A few quick thank you's:
Dave Lowe for the initial idea & logistics
Craig Brown for printing, and transport
The SF crew for helping with the testing and generally showing everyone else up with their fitness
Challenging MND for sponsoring the backpack covers
Sammy Peach Ltd for building the wheelchair
And everyone else who came along or donated to make this awesome event happen.
Well done to everybody who took part yesterday. What a truly amazing effort. Look out in the coming days for photos and updates.
So here we go. First team is away.
So one more day to go! This time tomorrow will be setting off for North Wales ready for our epic ascent up the highest mountain in Wales! At 1085 m or 3500 feet it's gonna be a challenging climb. We would just like to say thanks to all those who have signed up to help us with this endeavour.
The weather is looking changeable but hopefully with some good breaks in the cloud the views will be spectacular. Keep an eye on Facebook on Monday as we will try to live stream what we can, phone signal permitting.
Still plenty of time to donate on our JustGiving page www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/dans-uphill-struggle
Many thanks to Challenging MND for sponsoring our backpack covers, your support is amazing.
Timings alert!
On Monday morning we will need to be away early (in order that we're not still on the hill when it's getting dark in the evening). This means that the first Group will be leaving the campsite / hotel at c0730 and the later Group at c0830.
Unfortunately the hotel doesn't start serving breakfast until 0800 so if you were intending to have somebody else do the cooking then you might want to think about alternative arrangements.
Some of those who have already discovered this are taking porridge pots (just add boiling water) and that might be a fairly straightforward substitute. Whatever you do, it's important that you get food inside you before you head off.
The members of Poddi have been so very supportive of our venture. They've contributed financially and several of their members will be joining us for the walk.
Thank you Poddi.
Only one more shopping day to get any remaining kit that you need for the big day on Monday.
Don't forget that we'll be having a briefing at 1830 on the Sunday at the campsite / hotel (for anybody who doesn't know, they are one and the same).
We'll be covering logistical and safety points in detail to ensure that Monday runs as smoothly as we can make it, so it's important that you're there. Afterwards it'll be an opportunity to socialise and meet some of the people that you'll be walking with.
09/09/2021
Glad we're not up there today:
'A miserable day with a mixture of low cloud and frequent showers will make walking conditions difficult, so good footwear and waterproof clothing are recommended. In addition with some thunderstorms in the area, conditions will be challenging at times.'
Monday's looking better.
https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/specialist-forecasts/mountain/snowdonia #?date=2021-09-09
Snowdonia - Mountain weather forecast The Snowdonia mountains are made up of 90 mountain peaks including the tallest mountain in Wales, Snowdon, standing at 1,085 metres.
08/09/2021
Don't forget that if you haven't already done so you should have the What 3 Words app on your phone.
It's a really simple system that will allow us (or Mountain Rescue!) to track you down if manage to get yourself lost while you're on the hill.
In order to work it, all you have to do is open the app and a unique combination of words (three of them, funnily enough) will be shown that you can then pass on to those trying to locate you.
We don't expect that you'll need it but it's better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it!
https://what3words.com/products/what3words-app/
The what3words app | what3words Find, share and navigate to precise locations | what3words. Download the free what3words app to find, share and save exact locations using just three words.
07/09/2021
There's a yellow weather warning in place for Snowdonia today and tomorrow - for the heat - but conditions are returning to more like seasonal norms in time for next Monday. NB: 'unsettled' = 'rain'.
Have another look at the kit list to make sure that you've got all you need to cover all eventualities.
https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/specialist-forecasts/mountain/snowdonia #?date=outlook-tab
Snowdonia - Mountain weather forecast The Snowdonia mountains are made up of 90 mountain peaks including the tallest mountain in Wales, Snowdon, standing at 1,085 metres.
Just 7 days to go until around 50 of us start our climb to the Snowdon summit, pulling the wheelchair
Please donate whatever you can. All proceeds will go to the MND Assocition
https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/dans-uphill-struggle
We're getting loads of support for Dan's Uphill Struggle from Poddi. The group has made a number of big financial contributions, as have individual members. A number of people from Poddi are coming along for the walk too.
A big thank you to all.
01/09/2021
Admittedly in meteorological terms we're still a long way out from the big day, but the mountain weather forecasts are starting to look interesting:
https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/specialist-forecasts/mountain/snowdonia
Just sayin', but it might be worth keeping an eye on things🤔.
Snowdonia - Mountain weather forecast The Snowdonia mountains are made up of 90 mountain peaks including the tallest mountain in Wales, Snowdon, standing at 1,085 metres.
So we’ve only got 16 days to go before the big event! There’s still time to donate or sponsor!
You can donate at our JustGiving page- https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/dans-uphill-struggle
Great day at Butser Hill yesterday. Thanks to everyone who came and showed their support. We managed to iron out a few more bugs in a wheelchair. Just a few more tweaks to do and were ready for Snowdon!
It’s the last chance for testing before the big day! Please, show your support if you can.
We are having another testing day. It will be the last one before we head to Wales. We need more volunteers to help and its a great way to meet some of the other guys and break in those new boots!
Let us know if you want to come along
Queen Elizebeth Country Park, Waterlooville, PO8 0QE
10.30 am 15th August
Don't forget we are still training most Sundays too!
The wheelchair is built! Thanks to Sammy Peach Ltd for your time and effort and thanks to Monty's Bike Hub for donating the forks, wheels and brakes, not forgetting Metal Supermarkets Southampton for the steel
Please check these guys out.
Here is a Timelapse of the build https://youtu.be/le-pINtVD1k
21/06/2021
Today is Global MND Awareness Day - a day to raise awareness of motor neurone disease around the world.
• 6 people will be diagnosed today
• 6 people will die today
• It has NO cure
Please share our graphic highlighting the key facts. More people need to know about this disease!
Massive thankyou to Mike and the guys at Metal Supermarkets Southampton for donating the steel we need to build the custom wheelchair. Hopefully Sammy will start the build next week ready for testing up Butser Hill.
We will post some photos of the build when it starts. We will also be looking for volunteers to help us test it. If you want to see what you've signed up for please come along.
The venue is booked!
Those who are camping, your pitch is reserved and paid for. If you are coming in campervans / motorhomes or are too posh to rough it, you will need to book and pay for your camper or hotel room youselves. The hotel also has YHA accomodation and glamping pods if you prefer.
When making your booking let them know you are with Dans Uphill Struggle.
https://www.swallowfallshotel.co.uk/
If you have any queries then send us a message!
Miss the last training days? Good news! We're doing another one up Butser Hill. 10.30 AM Sunday 13th June at the Queen Elizabeth Country Park visitor centre. PO8 0QE.
Its a good chance to meet the others who are taking part, have a chat and a coffee. Its not overly strenuous and the views are amazing!
Miss the last training day? Good news! We're doing another one. 12 PM Sunday 6th June at the Queen Elizabeth Country Park visitor centre. PO8 0QE.
25/05/2021
Visiting relatives in Yorkshire yesterday, Dave Lowe was able to see this last night, the first 6 minutes of which is about MND.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m000wh7w/look-north-yorkshire-evening-news-24052021
Look North (Yorkshire) - Evening News: 24/05/2021 The latest news, sport and weather for Yorkshire.
19/05/2021
We’re pleased to announce that Poddi Networking has adopted Dan’s Uphill Struggle as the group charity and kindly donated a membership place to allow us to share updates and requests for help with the members.
Poddi is an independent breakfast networking group that is based (in usual times) at Haskins Garden Centre every Friday morning. They exchange many business referrals between the members on a weekly basis and we’re delighted to be part of their team.
We are so grateful that the supportive and positive ethos of Poddi for their business members also extends to charity organisations like ours. We’ve got four members currently booked on for the walk in September and hope that some more will be able to join us.
Poddi has already held a charity raffle and made a separate donation for the walk. They will help us engage with local business people to raise the profile of the charity which will help us to achieve our aim of getting me to the top of Snowdon in September and also more fundraising after the event.
www.poddi.co.uk
Poddi
18/05/2021
Well done to the loons who braved the torrential downpours on Sunday to complete a training run up and down Butser hill...Twice!
Fancy joining us? Then send us a message and we will arrange another date!
We are in need of some climbing ropes and caribeners to use as harnesses for the wheelchair. They don't have to be new, and they don't have to be in perfect condition. Unfortunately, cheapo blue poly rope from hardware stores isn't going to keep the chair and its occupant from disappearing down the hill at a great rate of knots!
If you or you know anyone who'd be able to donate, please hit the message button!
If you've had difficulty mustering your own enthusiasm to get fit for the Snowdon walk, why not spend an hour or two this Sunday joining in with an organised event?
Setting off from the Queen Elizabeth Country Park (QECP) visitor centre at midday, a group will be gauging their walk-readiness by having a wander up and down Butser Hill near Petersfield. No doubt there will be a few people that will do it more than once so if you miss the meet time you'll still be able to join in and it'll be a great opportunity for you to find out how much you enjoy walking uphill. And, OK, we know that Butser isn't as high or as steep as Snowdon but it's a start. If you've bought things like new walking boots or a rucksack it'll also be a chance for you to see if they're comfortable.
If you want to join in, just turn up at midday (or when you can make it) but be aware that the main car park at QECP can quickly become full so allow time to park up in one of the other car parks and still be able to make it to the visitor centre for the start time.
Make sure that you check the weather before you leave but we hope to see a few of you there.
QECP, Gravel Hill, Horndean PO8 0QE
For anyone who hasn’t seen our earlier posts, this is what its all about!
We are planning a charity event to get Dan to the summit of Snowdon and raise some money for the MND Association, a charity that provides help, support and funds research into this rare disease.
We are organising a sponsored wheelchair push/pull to the summit of Snowdon. This involves Dan in a custom built wheelchair harnessed to teams of 8 people being man/woman-handled up the 4.5 mile Llanberis Path and back. If you don't fancy the pulling bit, you can always come along for the walk!
We have a 50 seater coach planned for transport, of which 36 seats are to be allocated to the participants. If you would like to bring a guest, then it will be on a first come first serve basis and we would like it if they also can source donations and maybe help out with logistics 😉. We will provide a camping pitch (bring your own tent, cooker and food), a communal mess tent, and transport to and from the campsite to the start of the route.
The dates are:
Coach to Wales on Sunday 12th September, set up camp and a social gathering.
Climb Snowdon on Monday, back to the campsite to have a giggle about the days events, maybe a celebratory orange juice or two.
Coach home on Tuesday 14th September
Please let us know if this is something you would like to be involved with. It'll be a great weekend.
You can always make your own way to Wales, but as per Snowdonia National Parks guidelines, our preferred and greener way is by joining us on the coach. Parking is limited at the campsite and at the start of the trail.
Don’t forget to click on the send message button and one of us will get back to you with further info.
Donations can be made via https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/dansuphillstruggle
If you would like to set up your own way of sponsorship or JustGiving page, then please do. Just don’t forget to keep us updated on your fund!
Click here to claim your Sponsored Listing.
Videos (show all)
Category
Website
Address
SO194DY
RNLI Calshot Lifeboat
Calshot Lifeboat Station
Southampton, SO451BR
The official page for RNLI Calshot.
Southampton RAG
SUSU, Building 42, University Of Southampton
Southampton, S0171BJ
The page for the University of Southampton’s Raise and Give, for all things fundraising!
Web Science Trust
Southampton, SO171BJ
We work with global partners to understand what the Web is, engineer its future, and ensure its social benefit.
Age Concern Hampshire
Lockswood Care And Wellbeing Centre, Centre Way
Southampton, SO316DX
Responding to the needs of local people to help them live well throughout their ageing journey
Southampton Sight
3 Bassett Avenue
Southampton, SO167DP
Southampton Sight, a Southampton based charity, offers a central hub for those with sight loss fostering independence , life skills and social inclusion through diverse activities,...
Asociatia in lumea mea
Southampton
Ajută o fetiță să poată auzi glasul părinților, să învingă malformațiile care îi umbresc existența!
WI Locks Heath
Southampton, SO316
‘More than Jam and Jerusalem’ We meet at 10.00 am to 12 noon on the Third Thursday of the month at St John’s Church Hall, Locks Heath, SO31 6LW, in the main hall. Locks Heath WI...
Parent Support Link
Southampton, SO181AX
Supporting and Informing the Families and Friends of People Who Use Drugs and Alcohol.
The Big Difference
Former Housing Office
Southampton, SO199AD
Food Redistribution Project serving the community of Southampton.
Hamwic Street Kitchen
Southampton, SO312BX
Our aim is to prevent and relieve the poverty for all in Southampton who are experiencing hardship, in particular, but not exclusively through the provision of food, clothing, hous...
Families Matter at Hythe URC
Hythe United Reformed Church, New Road
Southampton, SO456BR
Helping families and those with dementia