Ten Times the Mountain. One Powerful Reason.
In May, Ashleigh Steyn will take on one of Wales’ toughest endurance challenges: 10YFan — climbing Pen y Fan ten times in 24 hours. For Ashleigh, this isn’t just a physical test. It’s a personal mission rooted in resilience, gratitude, and giving back.
Ashleigh is a Trainee Clinical Scientist with the All Wales Medical Genomics Service, working at the cutting edge of diagnostics for rare diseases and inherited genetic conditions. Before this, she spent three years in the Clinical Research Facility at University Hospital of Wales, helping to advance patient care through research. This work, centred on patients and their families, is what drives her every day.
But Ashleigh’s commitment doesn’t stop at the NHS.
She has also served six years in the British Army reserves as a Combat Medic and Physical Training Instructor. Among her proudest achievements is becoming the first female Advanced Physical Training Instructor in her unit, alongside gaining extra qualifications as a personal training instructor to continue developing her passion for training and helping others achieve their goals. Whether it’s intense military fitness testing, running, hiking, demanding training blocks, or long weighted marches carrying 45kg, Ashleigh thrives on challenge and discipline.
Originally from Zimbabwe, Ashleigh moved to the UK alone at just 17 years old, determined to build a life and achieve a bachelor’s and master’s degree in medical genetics. Seeing the NHS up close, a health system built on care, dignity, and access for all was life‑changing.
“In Zimbabwe, there’s no public healthcare safety net,” she explains. “If you don’t have private insurance, access to care is incredibly difficult.” Ashleigh and her family have faced medical battles. “Not having access to support and care like what Cardiff & Vale Health Charity offers has stayed with me.”
By joining the NHS and the Army, Ashleigh found her way of saying thank you for so many opportunities, the exciting life she has built in Wales, and 10YFan is her next step in giving back.
She has chosen to fundraise for Cardiff & Vale Health Charity, which supports patients, families, and staff across local NHS services — providing enhanced equipment, wellbeing support, and opportunities that go beyond core funding and truly change patient experiences.
“I’m doing 10YFan because I believe healthcare should be about people, not privilege. The NHS gave me a future, and Cardiff & Vale Health Charity helps give patients hope, comfort, and dignity when they need it most. This challenge is my way of giving back.” – Ashleigh
For Ashleigh, having something to train for, a cause to champion and a goal to work towards, is the ultimate form of self‑improvement. Ten climbs. Endless dedication. One powerful purpose.
You can be part of this journey. Please donate to Ashleigh’s JustGiving page and help raise vital funds for Cardiff & Vale Health Charity. Every contribution, big or small, helps make a real difference for patients in our care.
Donate. Share. Encourage.
Together, we can help Ashleigh turn every climb into lasting impact.