An Aberystwyth Royal Welsh veteran has climbed Snowdon blindfolded, as part of a three-year fundraising challenge in memory of Captain Stephen Healey who was killed in Afghanistan.

Captain Colin Jones MBE ascended Snowdon blindfolded on Saturday, 19 June, along with 20 other team members, other veterans and serving soldiers in his regiment, as part of the Captain Stephen Healey Memorial Challenge.

Colin has been fundraising for Blind Veterans UK since September 2019, as part of the memorial challenge.

Captain Healey was killed in Afghanistan on 26 May 2012, when his vehicle was struck by an improvised explosive device.

Colin and his team completed the ascent in an impressive two hours and 27 minutes.

Colin said: “As I was blindfolded, I had to put my complete trust in those guiding me. It really made me realise what the blind veterans must go through daily.

“The experience was certainly humbling. I received lots of support from my fellow teammates, with one even deciding to join me in the blindfolded challenge.”

He added: “I didn’t know Stephen personally, but I have done lots of fundraising challenges over the years.

“A few of the guys in my regiment knew about me fundraising so they approached me, and I agreed to do a challenge in memory of Stephen.”

As well as the Snowdon challenge, Colin arranged a charity football match in the afternoon between the Royal Welsh Veterans and Aberystwyth Town Football Club.

MP Ben Lake, who was part of the Snowdon team, was also present at the football match where he cheered the football teams on and presented Thea Davies, Stephen’s partner, with a Royal Welsh Football shirt displaying rank, name and Call Sign.

Colin added: “Sadly, the Royal Welsh Veterans lost 2-1 but a brilliant day was had by all raising funds for Blind Veterans UK and remembering Captain Stephen Healey.

“Steve was a great ambassador for Blind Veterans UK. We are doing this challenge for him.”

The team had originally wanted to complete several physically challenging events over a planned three-year period however due to the Covid-19 pandemic, they had to reschedule most of these.

On Wednesday, 26 May, the nine-year anniversary of Stephen’s death, Colin launched the latest series of challenges.

He said at the time: “We will attempt to break a record of the most blindfolded walkers to ascend Snowdon and Royal Welsh Veterans will play a charity football match against Aberystwyth Old boys.

“Then from 12 August to 1 September, we aim to complete an international cycling venture from Berlin to the Blind Veterans UK training and rehabilitation center in Llandudno.

“On 2 September, we will attempt to walk blindfolded from Llandudno to Wrexham, totalling 47 miles in 24 hours, as we retrace some of the charity route which Stephen completed in 2012.”

To support the Royal Welsh team, go to www.justgiving.com/colinjones910