A ST Athan dad will this summer be one of 13 men who will climb five UK mountains in 55 hours, to raise funds for Tŷ Hafan, the children’s hospice in Wales.

The men all have children who have been or are being cared for by Ty Hafan..

Tŷ Hafan, with its community programmes and hospice based care, has been part of the men’s journey, providing comfort and support and helping them spend what time they have left with their children in the best possible way.

Forty-four-year-old construction manager Alun Williams, of St Athan, is a member of the Tŷ Hafan Dads group – a support network that formed back in 2008 for fathers of children who have used Tŷ Hafan now or in the past.

The group helps dads to meet others in the same situation, allowing them to share their worries and fears about having a child with a life-limiting condition.

Mr Williams will set off with fellow group members to climb Ben Nevis in Scotland, Scarfell Pike in England, and Snowdon, Cadair Idris and Pen y Fan in Wales – all in 55 hours on Wednesday, July 4.

They will climb a combined height of 5,187m and covered over 36 miles in total.

Some have never climbed before, but they hope to inspire others, make friendships, share experiences good and bad, and go some way towards overcoming the isolation that parenting a sick child brings.

Their aim is to prove that together, they’re stronger.

Mr Williams’ inspiration to tackle the challenge is his daughter Ellis Rose who died in 2010, when she was just one-year-old.

Mr Williams, his wife Viki and their three other children have been visiting Tŷ Hafan for 10 years.

He said: “The short time Elis had at the hospice was filled with love and fun..

“The Ty Hafan staff are amazing and treat the children as their own.

“Ty Hafan helps families bond by giving them the time to spend together knowing that their child is being looked after and cared for.

“Our kids love the ‘super-sibs’ group and have had help with the grieving, talking with the staff and will continue to do so.

“I’m really looking forward to getting together to challenge myself with other fathers and families who have gone through a similar situation as my family has.

“Bring on the mountains.”

The challenge was the brainchild of family support practitioner, Gareth Jenkins, who runs the dads’ group at Tŷ Hafan.

To support Alun in his #5in55 Challenge or to find out more about the work of Tŷ Hafan, visit tyhafan.org