This May, Natalie Priest, an Occupational Therapist at the Llandough Centre for Specialist Spinal and Neuro Rehabilitation, is taking on one of Wales’ toughest endurance challenges — climbing Pen y Fan ten times in 24 hours.
Natalie is no stranger to pushing herself physically. She’s already conquered the London Marathon (twice), the Cardiff Half Marathon, the Welsh Three Peaks, and many more endurance events. But after years of ticking off major challenges, she was searching for something different — something that would test her in a new way.
Although Natalie has climbed Pen y Fan before, taking on 10YFan, the equivalent of climbing Mount Everest from sea level, will demand an entirely different mindset.
“I’ve done a lot of endurance events, but this one feels really different,” Natalie said. “Climbing the same mountain ten times in 24 hours will be as much a mental challenge as a physical one. It’s about resilience, pacing yourself, and keeping going when your body is asking you to stop.”
Natalie is taking on the challenge to raise money for the Prop Appeal, part of Cardiff & Vale Health Charity, which supports brain injury rehabilitation. Through her work on the neuro rehabilitation unit, Natalie sees first-hand the profound difference the Prop Appeal makes to patients, families, and staff every single day.
Funds raised through the Prop Appeal help pay for music therapy sessions with Lucie from Nordoff Robbins, which patients look forward to and benefit deeply from. Donations have also funded specialist equipment such as Tobii Eye Gaze devices, enabling patients with limited movement to use tablets independently by tracking their eye movements. The appeal additionally supports facilities like the independent living bungalow, where patients can safely practice daily living and mobility skills ahead of assessments — a vital step for those with cognitive difficulties.
Natalie explained why the appeal means so much to her:
“Patients stay on the neuro rehab unit for a long time, and their injuries can be profound and catastrophic in some cases. Having the support of the Health Charity means we can fund those extra things families might not realise — sofas, dayroom comforts, activities for children, and therapeutic opportunities that make the environment more human. I see the impact every day. It genuinely improves patient and family experience, and we’re always so grateful to everyone who donates.”
As Natalie prepares to tackle ten relentless ascents of Pen y Fan, she’ll be carrying with her the stories of the patients she supports and the knowledge that every step is helping to improve lives.
You can help Natalie reach the summit — all ten times — by supporting her fundraising journey.