A Gwynedd man will climb up and down Snowdon with a 35kg tumble dryer strapped to his back.

He is taking on this unusual challenge in a bid to raise money for veterans’ mental health charity Combat Stress.

On 29 August, 39-year-old Gethin Morgan, from Caernarfon, will aim to complete the challenge in under five hours. He hopes this could earn him a Guinness World Records title for the fastest ascent and descent of the mountain carrying a tumble dryer, with confirmation of the record category still pending.

The tumble dryer in question is one of two he owns – fortunately, the broken one! Weighing in at 35kg, Gethin will have to carry the machine over 14.5km and up 3,200ft of elevation to achieve his goal.

To prepare, Gethin has been training using a specialist hiking harness and a 35kg sandbag, walking on a treadmill at a 15 per cent incline. He has also completed several test walks around Caernarfon with the actual tumble dryer strapped on his back, to get used to the size, weight and balance.

As a former police officer who spent two years working alongside military personnel on Ascension Island and in the Falkland Islands – and through his rugby career, where he has played alongside many veterans in annual Armed Forces events, representing the North Wales Buccaneers, GB Police Rugby League and earning six caps for Wales Masters, Gethin has seen first-hand the mental health challenges many veterans face. It’s this experience that inspired him to raise funds for Combat Stress’ life‑changing treatment and support.

He said: “I literally woke up one morning and thought, ‘I should go up a mountain with a tumble dryer to raise money for a veterans’ charity’. Everyone has told me that I’m crazy, which has probably made me even more determined.

“I’d seen the tumble dryer sitting there and thought, why not put it to good use, rather than scrap it or leave it collecting dust. It’s definitely heavier than I expected. But I’ve committed now!

“Both through my career and through playing rugby with a lot of lads who are ex-forces, I’ve seen how important mental health support is for those who have served. Combat Stress does incredible, life-transforming work, and I want to raise as much as I can to help other veterans in their hour of need.”

Robert Marsh, Director of Fundraising at Combat Stress, said: “We are extremely grateful to Gethin for taking on such a unique and gruelling challenge, and we will be cheering him and his tumble dryer on every step of the way.

“We simply couldn’t continue delivering life‑changing treatment to veterans and their families without incredible, selfless fundraisers like Gethin. His determination will not only raise vital funds, but also inspire others to do their bit in support of veterans’ mental health.”

Gethin will be supported on the day by some of his rugby teammates, family members, and a sports therapist. He also plans to display a QR code on the side of the tumble dryer so walkers on the mountain can donate as he passes them.

To support Gethin’s challenge, visit https://shorturl.at/0GV7i