A WELSH family is preparing for a deeply personal and ambitious fundraising challenge that aims to highlight what can be achieved with the right support for people living with rare conditions and disabilities.
On May 17, Leah Wilsher, 25, and her family will attempt an event they have created called “Leah’s Summit Challenge”, which will see Leah supported to reach the summit of Pen y Fan in Bannau Brycheiniog, the highest peak in southern Wales.
Leah lives with PURA Syndrome, an extremely rare neurodevelopmental disorder affecting fewer than 800 people worldwide. Despite the challenges associated with her condition, she leads an active lifestyle, participating in surfing, skiing, skateboarding, and competing in judo for Wales.
Her father, who devised the challenge, said the event has three core aims: to demonstrate that disability does not define a person’s limits when appropriate support is available; to thank the organisations that have played a key role in Leah’s life; and to raise essential funds for those groups to continue their work with young people with additional needs.
The four organisations being supported are Ice Cool Kids (adaptive skiing), Surfability (adaptive surfing), Boardability (adaptive skateboarding), and Neath Judo Kwai (via YMCA Neath – where Leah, her younger brother Macsen, and her father are all members.)
These groups provide specialist coaching and inclusive sporting opportunities for disabled and neurodivergent young people, but like many community organisations, they continue to face funding pressures.
The planned challenge will involve Leah’s father running from their home in Neath to Pen y Fan, where he will meet Leah and the family. He will then carry Leah to the summit, supported by Macsen and family friends, before running back home afterwards.
The family hopes the effort will raise funds to be split equally between the four organisations, while also highlighting the importance of adaptive sport communities in building confidence, independence, and connection.
Supporters are being encouraged to donate and share the campaign widely ahead of the May 2026 climb.
