It was a scene of pure teamwork and heart, a group of rugby players carrying a wheelchair-bound dad to the 3,650-foot summit of Snowdon to help him check off a lifelong dream.
Phil Thompson, 66, has always wanted to reach the top of the Welsh mountain, but after a motorcycle accident at 19 left him in a wheelchair, he thought it would be impossible. That is, until Bangor Rugby Club stepped in.
“Bangor Rugby Club is very community-focused, and Phil hasn’t missed a game in over a year, come rain or shine,” said team member Mark Owen. “So, when I heard that reaching the Snowdon summit had always been a dream of Phil’s, it felt only right to help him get there.”
The plan took shape when Mark learned about Phil’s wish from his son, Sam Thompson, who plays for Bangor. The team had already been preparing for a fundraiser after the Welsh Rugby Union cut some of their funding. Originally, they planned to carry tackle bags up the mountain, but when Sam shared his dad’s dream, everything changed.
“Hearing this part of his story made me really want to help, and it fit perfectly with what the fundraiser should represent,” Mark said. “It was a no-brainer that we wanted to include him, it was just about how we could do it.”
A last-minute hurdle nearly stopped them in their tracks. Days before the event, the electric wheelchair they’d arranged turned out to be unsuitable for the route. In a scramble, local company Pro Weld in Caernarfon came to the rescue, creating a special frame for free, just in time. “The last minute save meant the whole fundraiser was actually able to go ahead,” Mark said.
At 5 a.m. on the big day, the team set off. Those over 16 took turns carrying Phil from Camp Llanberis to the summit, reaching the peak over three hours later. “It was a really touching moment,” said Mark. “Sam got quite emotional at the top and thanked everyone, telling them what it meant to him and his dad. I know Phil is not a very emotional guy, but I saw he had a moment looking out from the peak.”
The fundraiser didn’t just fulfill a dream, it raised over $2,100 in its first week. “A special thanks to Pro Weld in Caernarfon for fabricating the frame around the wheelchair,” the club wrote on Facebook. “Your skill and generosity made this possible. This challenge showed what our club is truly about community, determination, and looking out for one another. Here’s to many more!”
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