Cardiff People First (CPF) are celebrating after finishing the Bannau Brycheiniog Challenge, completing 10 popular walking routes within the Bannau Brycheiniog National Park. Members of the charity, run by and for people with learning disabilities in Cardiff, held a certificate giving ceremony at Craig-y-nos Country Park to mark their great achievement which included walks up the higher mountains of Cribarth and Sugar Loaf
The Bannau Brycheiniog Challenge originated from the Inspironment Project run in 2015/16 by the National Park Authority in partnership with Natural Resources Wales and aimed to bring the inspiration and well-being benefits of activities in the Bannau Brycheiniog to disadvantaged people. CPF’s Director, Ashlea Harris, secured funding from the Big Lottery Fund’s Awards for All Wales programme to support the challenge which started in March. Since then the walks, led by the National Park Authority’s Communities Team, have involved other local People First groups including Powys People First and those participating have forged good links and friendships along the way. A variety of sites have been visited including Llangorse Lake, Pen-y-Crug Hillfort, Sugar Loaf and the Taf Fechan valley. The group were further proud of their achievement as they were able to complete the challenge mostly by using public transport to travel to the walk locations around the National Park, helping develop independent living skills.
Simon Richards, Chair of Cardiff People First said;
“The challenge has given us the opportunity to enjoy new places, meet new people and make new friends. We hope to carrying on meeting up and exploring the more of the Bannau Brycheiniog together.”
Julian Atkins, Director of Countryside & Land Management added;
“The National Park Authority is very pleased to work with groups like Cardiff People First to help and encourage them to get outdoors and explore the fantastic landscape on their doorstep. It’s been great to meet everyone to hear their stories and how they have benefited from taking part in the Bannau Brycheiniog Challenge. Everyone should be proud of what they have achieved and I hope we are able run another challenge in the near future.”
Sally Thomas, of the Big Lottery Fund, commented: “National Lottery Awards for All is having a positive impact throughout Wales. It’s great to see projects like this benefiting from the programme, and it’s thanks to National Lottery players that this is made possible.”
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