A mortgage broker from Brecon has set himself an epic challenge in aid of two charities close to his heart, which has seen him scale one of Wales’ highest peaks over 300 times since last March, raised more than £20,000 so far, and brought praise and support from famous faces including Richard Parks and Dirty Vegan Matt Pritchard.

Des Lally, 43, has battled through the pain barrier and is scaling Pen Y Fan 365 times in 365 days to raise money for Help for Heroes and Cancer Research. Des says he’s experienced “a lot of pain and soreness” and has had to strap his ankle and knee daily to climb the peak and meet his self-imposed target.

Des started the challenge on March 26 last year, fitting in the walks around his work and family commitments. So far, he’s finished 292 walks to the peak of the mountain. With under two months left to complete 73 more climbs before the deadline ends, some days he will have to undertake multiple walks to complete the challenge.

Facing extremes of heat and cold, in the last year, Des has overcome exhaustion and relied on the understanding and support of his partner Lee-ann and their 3 children, to achieve his goal and raise money for the two good causes.

The fundraising effort is inspired by his parents, both of whom have suffered from cancer. He also wanted to do something for Help for Heroes because his father is an ex-military man.

Des said: “My Mum and Dad have had three different types of cancer between them, and my Dad spent 26 years in the Irish Guards, so that’s the family connection.”

“It’s just something I want to do to give a little back.”

The 43-year-old added that people usually tackle the Brecon Beacons once, or take part in a night walk, but he was determined to do something “a little out of the ordinary”.

He added: “This is a commitment by me, and people might buy into that.”

“It is something different and unusual. But with what people go through with cancer and in the forces, it is nothing; it’s two hours a day.”

Des says he hopes to raise the profile of the charities as well as making people “stand up and think, do I want to give something towards that?”.

Des has been joined by other walkers, including rugby teams, community groups and “Dirty Vegan” Matt Pritchard, who scaled the peak with Des on January 26 on his 289th walk in extreme wind and driving rain.

Help for Heroes Wales Community Recovery Manager, Shelley Elgin praised Des’ efforts, saying “Des epitomises the spirit of our amazing supporters, going above and beyond to give something back to the Armed Forces personnel who have put their lives on the line for us. The work we deliver to support those whose lives are affected by their military service wouldn’t be possible without people like Des giving their time so selflessly. We are very grateful.”

Anyone who would like to sponsor Des can do so by visiting https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/DesLally