THE chairman of Pontfaen YFC says she wants to see out her last year as a young farmer “with a bang” by taking on 12 tough physical tasks in 12 months to raise money for charity.

Vicky-Lynn Healey officially launched her year of challenges by walking up Pen y Fan in the Brecon Beacons with other members of the young farmer’s group, including club president and local AM Kirsty Williams, on Monday, February 25.

Vicky-Lynn chose one of the sunniest days so far this year to climb the highest peak in the south of Britain, which stands at 886 metres.

Vicky already had one challenge under her belt after taking part in the Resolution Run 5k on Sunday, January 20.

She will be doing the challenges, with support from her fellow Pontfaen YFC members, to raise money for three charities – the Brecon Mountain Rescue Team, Cancer Research and Wales Air Ambulance.

She said she was inspired to support BMRT by a talk to YFC members which mentioned that the rescue group had recently assisted at two incidents involving all-terrain vehicles (ATV).

She said she wants to support Cancer Research in memory of several family members who have died from cancer. Wales Air Ambulance is the charity nominated by current Wales YFC chairman Dafydd Jones.

Her next challenge will be to climb Cadair Idris in Snowdonia, one of Wales’ most popular walks, on Sunday, March 24.

On Saturday, April 20 she’ll attempt the 5km Gung-Ho! inflatable obstacle run at Swansea before heading back to Snowdonia on Sunday, May 19 when she will take on the “biggie” – Mount Snowdon.

Other challenges include the Tough Mudder 5k in Bristol (July 6), Llanelli (June 10), Barry (August 4) and Swansea (September 22) 10k races and Cardiff Half Marathon (October 6). Her year of heavy physical exertion will end back in Builth Wells on Saturday, December 7 when she will run the annual Santa Run 5k having completed a 10k swim in the town in November.

Explaining her motivation for attempting so many difficult feats in one year, Vicky-Lynn said: “Being elected chairman of Pontfaen YFC in my last year of YFC I want to go out with a bang and give something back to an organisation that has given me so many opportunities.

“Following a talk at YFC from Brecon Mountain Rescue and learning that they had attended and assisted at two ATV accidents I want to raise awareness that farmers can and should ask for their help in an emergency. In addition to raising awareness I want to raise money for Brecon Mountain Rescue as I believe they provide a vital service to our rural communities. I have also decided to raise money for Cancer Research and Wales Air Ambulance; the former is a charity that is close to my heart since losing several family members to cancer. Wales Air Ambulance is the charity nominated by the current Wales YFC chairman Dafydd Jones.”

Collection buckets in support of Vicky-Lynn have been set up in Victoria Lynn Hair Salon and The Strand Café, Builth Wells. Vicky-Lynn says she will also soon be setting up a JustGiving page.