4 days ago
Three friends to tackle Welsh Three Peaks for Cwmbran dad
Joe Little, from Cwmbran, who has served with Gwent Police for more than 15 years, was diagnosed with oesophageal cancer just before Christmas 2024.
The 41-year-old fell seriously ill and was admitted to hospital with what was initially thought to be a stomach ulcer.
However, after spending Christmas in hospital, he received the devastating diagnosis.
Joe immediately began chemotherapy, with hopes that surgery would follow the first round of treatment.
Unfortunately, further scans revealed that surgery was not an option, and he is now undergoing a more aggressive form of treatment.
A GoFundMe page was set up to support Joe, his wife Sally, and their two sons, Oliver, 14, and Harry, 10, as they face the financial burden of cancer.
The fundraiser aims to assist with travel for treatment, access to new therapies, and to allow the family to enjoy quality time together without financial stress.
The GoFundMe has been a success, with people touched by Joe's story showing incredible generosity.
To support their efforts and donate to Joe's GoFundMe, visit:
However, Joe's lifelong friends, Chris Chaney, Kirk Hicks, and Tom Reardon, have decided to do even more.
The trio, who have been friends since before their school days at Llantarnam Comprehensive School, are set to take on the Welsh Three Peaks challenge to raise further funds for their friend.
The challenge involves climbing the three highest peaks in Wales—Snowdon (Yr Wyddfa), Cadair Idris, and Pen y Fan—all within 24 hours.
Chris said: "We've known each other since we were born, always been close.
"The three of us wanted to do something for him.
"Not many people have still got the same close gathering of school friends."
Chris even joked about the fitness levels of the three of them and said: "The Welsh Three Peaks would be a challenge, one boy does HYROX [a fitness competition], one does StairMaster [a piece of gym kit] every day, and I'm the stair lift."
Since the trio started training, with walks up Pen y Fan, the Skirrid and Sugarloaf, under their belts, Chris has seen his weight drop from 21.5 stone to 17.5 stone.
He added that the success of the GoFundMe "says a lot about the lives that Jono [their nickname for Joe] and his family have touched".
"Sally, [Joe's wife] has been immense, a proper rock.
"They're such a lovely family."
The friends have set up a Facebook page to record funny videos documenting their training.
Chris said the friends enjoy "taking the mick out of each other" and "don't take each other too seriously", adding: "We want to keep that camaraderie.
"He does enjoy seeing them [Joe watches their videos]."
They plan to walk up Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon), Cader Idris and Pen y Fan on Saturday, August 23.
Chris' wife will be the driver, and plans to bring a gas stove to help keep the friends refuelled after each mountain.
To support their efforts and donate to Joe's GoFundMe, visit:
