A Powys cancer survivor and his brother are to scale the three Welsh peaks to raise money for charity.

Rhys Davies along with his brother James and six family members and friends will doing the challenge to raise money for the Bronglais Chemo Appeal who helped Rhys with his treatment for testicular cancer.

They hope to scale the three peaks of Snowdon, Cadair Idris and Pen y Fan in around 16 hours on Saturday, 10th September, climbing a total of 17 miles and conquering an ascent total of 7,657ft, with 154 miles of travelling in between.

Rhys, 29, said he first noticed there was a problem whilst out exercising and later got treatment at the Bronglais Hospital in Aberystwyth.

“I was actually out riding my mountain bike when I found a lump, which turned out to be stage 2 cancer," said Rhys. "It was at the height of the pandemic. After an operation I started my chemotherapy in Bronglais Hospital.

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“The team in the day unit were excellent and made me feel as comfortable as I could. To have this unit on your doorstep is brilliant. If I was to go through it again, I wouldn’t want to go anywhere else.”

The team of eight from the Llanidloes and Caersws area decided on the challenge to say thank you for the treatment and care Rhys received at Bronglais Hospital’s Chemotherapy Day Unit and the money will go towards the plans to build a new £500,000 chemotherapy day unit at the Hospital.

Taking part will be Rhys and James, their cousin Harri Clarke and five friends – Paul and Sion Jehu, Matthew Hamer, Gary Harlock and Gareth Edmunds.

James Davies, 35, said that the team had been training hard for the challenge: “We can’t wait to take on this challenge as a team and are planning a 4am start at Snowdon. It will be tough but we are determined to complete it and raise as much money as we can for the Appeal in the process.

“Rhys and I have been out walking and mountain biking to build up our fitness. We have also had lots of support from our mum, Barbara Davies-Evans, our dad Trefor Davies and our sister Kelly.

“We decided to fundraise for the appeal to help provide a local, purpose-built chemotherapy unit for the people of mid Wales. Rhys never thought it would happen to him or that he would need chemotherapy at such a young age, but the stark and unfortunate reality is that one in two people will be diagnosed with cancer at some point in their lives."

The team have raised £710 so far. To donate go to https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/james-davies-11