We once again conquered Mount Snowdon!!!!!

The charity started 5 years ago with a climb of Mount Snowdon, its become our flagship fundraising event and loved by many and the 2016 Snowdon challenge was being looked forward to by so many.

50+ registered attendees, 13 of them children and a pretty decent weather forecast....



Never trust the weather though! 2nd April 2016 came and the weather was horrific, it had rained since our arrival in Snowdonia and the forecast looked bleak but we were all there to achieve the same goal and raise funds for Little Troopers.

The trek was such a challenge for all involved with 19 of the group reaching the summit, the conditions were treacherous, it was windy, cold and we battled rain, hail and snow. It was a physical and mental test for everyone involved with lots of tears....even from me at one point, I hit a wall and was certain I couldn't carry on but I did and that summit smile is real!

 

Over £2,660 has been raised with the total increasing daily, the love that surrounds our cause is phenomenal and it makes me so emotional to come together as a group with many strangers and share such a special achievement, a bond forms that lasts an eternal memory and makes every cold, hard step up that mountain worth it.

A huge thank you to all who were involved in making it happen, to all who donated, all who climbed that mountain and all who encouraged us on the day....Little Troopers is a special community and I am so proud to be a part of it.

You can still donate to the challenge HERE

Snowdon Challenge Weekend - April 6th 2013

What a weekend!!!!

It was a rocky road getting the challenge ready, with the adverse weather conditions and changing to a Plan B it really was touch and go if it would go ahead at all. There was so much snow on the mountains there was no way we could have reached the summit.

6 months of planning and organising paid off though and WE DID IT! We successfully completed with many others our Snowdon Challenge 2013!

At this point we must say a huge thank you to Boulder Adventures Claire and Tom were amazing and without them this challenge would not have happened. Thank you so so much.

As a group of 56 (much lower than anticipated due to drops outs at change of challenge) we abseiled 2170m which is the equivalent to the height up and down Snowdon. Every single person completed an abseil or more and our youngest Little Trooper to abseil was just 4 years old, such an achievement for all.

It took from 9am - 4pm of constant abseiling to complete our challenge but no one was going to give up and the cheers when we knew we'd completed it rang throughout the quarry! Everyone so so pleased that together as group we had acheieved what we came to do.


Little Austin 4 years old

Many of the group also completed a 5 mile trek of the Llanberis Lake in addition to the adseil so truely gave their all to the challenge and indeed the cause.

The weekend was about more then an abseil though, so many took so much away from the weekend. It was about being with others who understood, meeting new friends, sharing something truly unique and being part of something none of us will forget in a hurry.

One family really touched my heart on the weekend and I wanted to share why, it encapsulates why we started the charity and why we are so privileged to meet so many British Army families and Little Troopers.

A lovely family of  mum, son and daughter attended our challenge weekend, daddy is in Afghanistan and has been since October 2012. To witness how strongly they were bonded and how supportive they were of each other was utterly heart warming. I was sat on a rock watching the little girl come down her abseil, so bravely at 7 years old and her older brother waiting so proudly at the bottom, he then gallantly ran back up to cheer mum on for her abseil. I was sat in the tranquil sun having a chat with the little girl waiting for her mummy to conquer her challenge 'Mummy' she shouted 'Close your eyes and think of daddy, that will get you down' A tear rolled down my face, it was a moment in time... a Little Trooper who is currently going through a separation from a soldier parent yet being so positive and supportive to others, my lip is currently quivering writing this post, such a special moment I was a part of, one I will never forget and such a inspirationaly brave and strong family. As mummy landed safely at the bottom of the abseil I stood back, the little girl hugged her mummy 'Mummy, Daddy will be so proud, we have so much to tell him now when he gets home in 2 weeks'

Right there in front of me was our reason, our motivation and why we are so passionately working hard for the charity to grow so we can support as many British Army families and Little Troopers as possible.

This challenge raised £3,000 and rising and I know that every single person that attended went home with a smile on their faces, a feeling of achievement and knowing they had been part of something special with others in a similar situation.

Two years on from the first trek and what we have achieved blows my mind but there so much more we want to achieve....join us as we move into our next chapter xxxxx

You can still donate to the Snowdon Challenge here: Donate Here



Louise & Linda after the challenge in Llanberis, Snowdonia



Snowdon Challenge Weekend - You can't predict the weather!

I am writing this blog now we have a Plan B....it may not have been such a cheery post had we not secured a Plan B!

April 6th is our Snowdon Challenge weekend, it has been in the planning for months and months, so many hours has gone into the preparation, so many people are in training, so many Little Troopers have been raising funds and looking forward to this special weekend and suddenly the snow comes and comes and comes in Llanberis. I have never been so obsessed with the Met Office website!

It became quite clear that the weather may not ease up on the mountain and I was sent this YouTube link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6RLu-LwRZM OH MY GOODNESS, what are we going to do?! 100 people registered to climb to the summit of Mount Snowdon in less than two weeks and it really doesn't look like it is going to be possible, it would be dangerous in the current conditions to attempt it...but we can't cancel, we wont cancel....there must be an alternative but can we really turn this around in 10days?!

I am not one to give up and I knew that out there would be someone who would help us in our hour of need, I sent an email to a local company called Boulder Adventures http://www.boulderadventures.co.uk/ they saw our email and called me on Easter Sunday....they could help AND it was a fantastic opportunity for us and a real challenge for everyone involved.

So April 6th we will be heading to Snowdonia and a nearby quarry in Llanberis where we will be abseiling, we will continue to abseil the 90ft drop until it equates the height of Mount Snowdon, so we will be climbing the mountain but in a different way to what we had planned!

On a personal level it will be a real challenge, I have abseiled when serving and it really wasn't my favourite thing but both Linda and I are determined to face our fears! Lots of people are ready to take on this new challenge and it makes all the sponsorship worthwhile, it really will test peoples resolve but we are all there for one reason... to support The Little Troopers at Home....

So onwards with this week and we can not wait for the weekend to come, meet lots of new faces from the My Daddy is a Soldier Adventures community and spend some great time with lots of Little Troopers. See you in the next post which will be full of photos from the challenge weekend!

Lots of love until then xxx

Snowdon Trek 2013

Rewind 2 years....I personally have such fond memories of the trek we completed in 2011 (See previous Post HERE) I learnt so much, was on an emotional roller coaster and the trek gave me a focus and fundamentally having it to focus on got me through the tour we were in the middle of. I am so thankful for that, that tour was a dark place for me and my Little Trooper and the trek got us through.

It seemed only right we did it again and brought lots of you on the journey with us, I feel so emotional about it, so many people have registered and to think we will be sharing the path with friends old and new is so heartwarming.

Yes we are doing it to raise awareness of the charity and yes we hope to raise some pennies to enable us to run events throughout 2013 for Little Troopers but its more than that...its creating a community of people who all have something fundamental in common, people who without explanation understand, people who can relate. That's special.

The weekend in April is about achievement, community and cake!!! We have arranged drinks the night before the trek, cake at the bottom and a group meal after the trek, an opportunity to chat, share experiences but also celebrate what we are part of.

The journey since the first trek is mind blowing, My Daddy is a Soldier Adventures has been founded and registered as a charity, lots of Little Troopers have come to events and many emails have been cried at...there's so many of you out there pleased there is now something we can all dip into wherever we are based.

So 2013 is quite a milestone....6th April we visit the point where it all started and I REALLY can't wait!

(There is still some places to register to join us, email: fundraising@mydaddyisasoldieradventures.org for info pack and registration form)

They did it!!! Mission trek...COMPLETE

A whirlwind of a week ended with us heading north to Snowdonia...I can confirm it's a long way!!!
We had so much kit but figured more kit meant more warmth?! It had been a glorious day down south on Friday but as we made it further into Wales so the weather got worse, wetter and more windy...'Oh no mummy, its going to be like the practice trek' Madison squealed!
Arriving at http://www.cabancysgu-gerlan.co.uk/ our bunkhouse for the weekend we all (20 of us!) got together, checked kit, drank beer and discussed the following day.....praying the weather would brighten up!
Three very excited girlies and a room of bunk beds proves for an interesting nights sleep but we all dropped off with alarms set for 6.15am......

Up bright and early, first thing we did was look out the window...yup it was still raining...  kit all present and correct, the girls did some early morning prep filming with ITV London while we all packed daysacks and sorted packed lunches and we were off!!!!!!!!

The mountain was about 20minutes drive from the bunkhouse, the closer we got the tighter Madisons grip got on my hand...she whispered 'Mummy my tummy feels funny' suddenly it dawned on me...this was a massive step into the unknown for these girls and they were only 7 yet prepared to do this and be guided by us and safe in the knowledge they would be fine. I too had a few butterflies...3 hard, long months of organisation and preparation from many people had bought us to this day, this mountain...so many people had supported the trek and so many people had donated...I prayed all would go to plan.

After a slight hiccup in that our car managed to get seperated from the other 4 cars which resulted in us sitting in the wrong car park thinking...this is NOT right we must be in the wrong place!!! Crisis diverted we made our way to the right car park!!!

The team gathered, a few photos and prep talk from trek leader then we were off heading for the Snowdon Summit...

The girls would be trekking the Llanberis Snowdon path all the way to the summit...in the wind and rain. Spirits were high as we set off and we made good time to the half way house...we stopped for a drink and food but Madison had other ideas...she was tired and could see how far they still had to go..this is when she decided she'd had enough and wanted to go back....she'd decided the wind was going to blow her off the mountain and this wasn't a risk she wanted to take!!!!

Obviously after a cuddle and a reassuring hand she carried on and the other 2 girlies were off on their way too...it was a long slog we had tears and lots of 'I can't carry on' but they made it to the bridge which was the next place to stop and catch a breather...visability was getting worse and the rain just wouldn't stop...

All the girls found their pace and did so well considering the conditions, slowly the summit was getting closer and people were passing saying 'only 15 minutes to go' as we approached my legs were hurting and it was so steep, chocolate was needed for energy and determination to get up the mountain and for Madison to not see me upset, this was such a challenge for all of us.









Finally the summit was becoming a reality we found an area just below and all waited until the group was together to reach the summit, we had a sandwich and put on loads of extra warm kit, it was so cold and you really couldn't see anything it was all white. Whilst reaching the summit we even had a sleet storm!

All together we headed up the final section to the summit, about 1.15pm 3 hours after we set off.. banners in hand and cameras at the ready, we all whooped and smiled and here writing this blog I have a tear, WE MADE IT and the girls were so so happy their screams of joy melted my heart and will stay with me forever. What an achievement.

We needed to now get down, it was cold and the girlies were starting to feel it with their hands like blocks of ice we needed to get moving, the weather had got worse as the morning had gone on and coming down we could really see evidene of this. It was definatey quicker coming down and the girls had great fun running and playing...plus a few falls!! collecting stones, chasing Jack, Isabellas dog, telling everyone they met what they were doing....I knew we were making memories right there...this experience would stay with all of us forever.

Feet now tired and sore in places, very wet...infact soaked through, stiff legs setting in we were very pleased to reach the bottom at roughly 3.20pm and heading straight to Petes Eats in Llanberis...tea and cake awaited :-)

The girls were presented with some surprises from the Daddys in Afghanistan in the form of a video for Madison and an audio clip for Victoria and all with a medal and certificate, I shed a few tears...suddenly I felt a wave of emotion...we had done it...they had done it and right now at 7years old I don't think they have any idea what they have achieved and quite how many people they have touched and inspired with their story but one day they will look back and smile.

The strength the girls showed over the weekend was something else and I'm bursting with pride to have been a part of this.

I thank every one person who has donated, everyone who has supported, everyone who has been a part of the 'My daddy is a Soldier Trek 2011' because 3 little girls who do have soldiers for daddys just did something amazing and for such a great cause, I'm just privileged one is my daughter.

Louise xxxxx

Trek Leaders Post - The challenge on the horizon!

As I sit here at my desk in Manchester there are threats of snow in the Highlands and the cold wind was blowing from the north into my eyes on my way into work this morning. In 72 hours we will hopefully be making our way up towards Snowdon summit and achieving the goal of the 'My Daddy is a Soldier Trek 2011' - to make it to the top and back down again - safely.

 

After our training walk, I cannot believe the weather could be any worse - but the motto of my days in the scouts always reminds me 'be prepared'. I'm pretty sure we are. The kit performs beyond expectations, and more importantly the 'Little Trekkers' have put their all into being ready for this challenge and I'm proud of them.

 

People are set to join us from all walks of life on Saturday and at the present count there could be as many as 25 people on the trail alongside us - which will be amazing, and logistically challenging at the same time I'm sure.

 

Still, all that remains is to do the food shopping, get to North Wales in good time, and keep our fingers crossed that there is no snow on the day, as that may present another challenge altogether.

 

Wish us luck! And thankyou for all the donations so far. Mark x

 

 

 

See below rough schedule for Saturday for the trek should you be in the area!

 

Saturday

Breakfast 7.15

Leave bunkhouse 8.00

Park in Llanberis main carpark 8.30

Depart for trek 9.00

Aim for summit at 12.30

photos at summit then packed lunch 13.00

Depart for descent 13.15

Aim to arrive back at carpark Llanberis 16.15

Tea to be arranged at local pub (hopefully)

Trek leader update - training walk looms

In a couple of weeks we are meeting up for an important weekend training in North Wales. Hopefully if the weather stays good, we will try and walk up the mountain Moel Siabod near Capel Curig which has good views of Snowdon from the top and is an interesting walk for the girls without being and epic! Having recce'd the walk at the weekend it was very very cold, and there was still some snow high up on the hills (not a lot though!). Warm clothes will be a must for the team. During the weekend I hope to teach the girls a little about map reading, and being safe in the mountains as well as helping them get to the top. Done a pic I took yesterday to show the top too.