Sky's the limit as cancer centre fundraiser prepares for trek to Everest Base Camp
The only way is up for an adventurer who will scale new heights to pay tribute to his dad and raise funds for Swansea’s very own cancer centre.
Will Thomas has a year to prepare for the trip of a lifetime in aid of the South West Wales Cancer Centre at the city’s Singleton Hospital.
The 31-year-old from the Swansea Valley will take part in an epic trek to Everest Base Camp in memory of his father who died last year just two months after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.
The South West Wales Cancer Centre, SWWCC, is run by Swansea Bay University Health Board and provides a range of lifesaving NHS treatments such as radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and immunotherapy.
It celebrates its 20th anniversary this year and a fundraising appeal has been launched by Swansea Bay Health Charity, the health board’s official charity, to commemorate the landmark.
The appeal, Going the Extra Mile for Cancer, will support the thousands of patients from the Swansea Bay and Hywel Dda areas who are cared for there every year, as well as relatives and staff.
Will, a civil servant, is now fundraising to thank staff for the care they provided to his father Brian, pictured right, while he was a patient there.
“Dad was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in September last year and passed away on November 1st,” said Will. “He was in Ward 12 at Singleton Hospital, and I saw how hard the nurses and doctors work.
“They are always so busy, but he had really great care while he was there. So I wanted to do something positive and constructive for them.
“My dad really enjoyed walking and trekking. When he was younger he did briefly mention, I think probably in a light-hearted way, the idea of doing Everest base camp though he couldn’t have done it later in life.
“I think he would be proud that I will hopefully be able to complete this challenge. It’s a part of the world that I’d like to see anyway but I’ll be doing it as a tribute to my dad and to raise funds for the charity.
“It's actually been on my bucket list for a long time because I enjoy walking myself and from a personal point of view it will be a memorable challenge to do.”
Will be part of an organised group flying to Kathmandu to begin the challenge in October 2025.
From the Nepal capital they will fly to Lukla, then spend days trekking through spectacular scenery, with some rest days for acclimatisation, before making the final push to Everest Base Camp on day 11.
After that they will spend another four days trekking back to Lukla and the return flight to Kathmandu.
The route to Base Camp pushes trekkers to the limit, and Will has already started a training regime to prepare for it.
“I’ve already joined a local badminton group and I’ve started doing some running. There are also some guides online with the company I’m doing it with in terms of doing some treks with a heavy backpack,” he said.
“Obviously, mountains in this area are not going to be of that level but it’s about trying to prepare your lungs for the acclimatisation.
“I am excited about it but daunted as well, but I think that once I start getting into a proper routine, I’ll feel more confident and ready to go.
“I do a lot of walking anyway. I’ve done many of the peaks around Wales, like Snowdon, Cadair Idris and Pen Y Fan. Last year, I did Ben Nevis and Scafell Pike in one weekend.
“I have also completed the Gower Mighty Hike challenge, which is 26 miles, twice for Macmillan Cancer Support.
“So I enjoy trekking and walking. But I’m going to have to up my game now for this. I’ll be looking to join lots of different fitness classes and getting to the gym more often.
“It is a big challenge so hopefully I can raise a good amount of money for the charity as well.”
Will's fundraising got off to a great start after £400 was raised from a pub quiz, staged at the Pontardawe Inn.
Follow this link if you want to sponsor Will for his Everest fundraising challenge.
And follow this link to find out more about the Going the Extra Mile for Cancer appeal.
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