A 12-year-old girl who walked 25 miles from Abertridwr to the top of Pen-y-Fan has been praised after she raised almost £2,000 for Velindre Cancer Care.
Abi-Jean Wood took on the heroic walk with her father Dean in tribute to her Nan, who was treated at Velindre.
Starting off from the village’s Aber Hotel, run by her father and uncle, Abi-Jean took just two days to reach the top of South Wales’ highest peak.
Day one was a trek from Abertridwr to Pontsticill, while the second day saw them ascend the mountain with the support of family and friends – including five-year-old sister Billie.
Proud father Dean explained: “Her Nan was diagnosed with breast cancer a few years back and was treated at Velindre.
“Abi wanted to do something and she came up with the idea of a charity walk.
“She’s rightly proud of her achievement, but I don’t think it has completely sunk in yet for her. I think it will when she looks back in years to come.”
Andrew Morris, Head of Fundraising at Velindre, praised the 12-year-old’s effort.
He said: “Just shy of £2,000 is a massive amount of money.
“It’s phenomenal. They must have worked so hard to raise that amount of money. A fantastic effort.”
Dean, a 35-year-old plumbing engineer, thanked everyone who donated and came to support the pair on their final day of the walk.
He said: “Our target was £500 and we smashed that.
“We had a lot of support from the local community and our regulars in the pub who sponsored her.
“Her auntie and uncle, Lucy and John Midgley, were a great help.
“Obviously I’m very, very proud of her. It hasn’t sunk in for her yet, but I know how big the achievement is.”