FOR many people, reaching the big 3-0 means throwing a party and celebrating with friends but for Ebbw Vale's Kyleigh Hill, the milestone is being marked in a more unique way.

The Coleg Gwent student has set herself 30 challenges ranging from climbing mountains to skydiving to firewalking, all of which she aims to complete by the time she turns 31.

Miss Hill, who turned 30 on January 8, has already set about completing the challenge which she has titled '30-4-30 challenge' by climbing Corn Du, Pen-y-Fan ad Cribyn as part of a task to climb the 24 peaks of the Brecon Beacons.

Throughout the challenges she will be raising money for four charities - The Welsh Guards Afghanistan Appeal, Wales Air Ambulance, Severn Area Rescue Association and the Victoria Cross Trust.

The outdoor activity student at Coleg Gwent's Usk campus said: "I wanted a memorable way to celebrate my 30th birthday rather than just a party. I thought if I could raise a few pounds for charity, it would be a more worthwhile celebration.

"It was a friend that first suggested it to me."

As part of the challenges Miss Hill, who is mother to 10-year-old Lleuci and also works part time at The Picture House pub in Ebbw Vale, is hoping to clock up 7,436km, the equivalent distance from her home to Camp Bastion in Afghanistan.

Among the other challenges she also aims to take on Offa's Dyke, Hadrian's Wall, an abseil, a bungee jump, an open water swim, 30 minutes of 30 different sports and a Tough Mudder challenge which is a 12-mile obstacle course designed by the special forces.

Miss Hill, who hopes to become an outdoor activity instructor and eventually work in the rehabilitation of injured service personnel, is aiming to raise £4,000 for the charities and has already raised more than £700.

She said: "Many thanks to everyone who has donated or helped so far. I'm looking forward to trying new things and making this year one to remember."

For full details of the 30 challenges or to sponsor Ms Hill visit uk.virginmoneygiving.com/30-4-30

 

Miss Hill's 30-4-30 challenge includes:
Covering a 7436km distance which is equivalent to the distance from her home to Camp Bastion, Afghanistan
Navigating the Wales Coastal Path
Climbing the Three Peaks
Doing at least 30 mins of 30 different sports
Offa's Dyke
Hadrian's Wall
A bungee Jump
Great Strait Raft Run
Climbing the 24 peaks of the Brecon Beacons
The Taff Trail
Spinnaker Tower abseil
A skydive
Rugby Stadium Challenge
Sky Trek (high ropes) & Britain's longest zip line
Zombie Race
Nightrider - a 100km bicycle ride through a city at night.
The Three Lakes Challenge
The Wolf Run - an obstacle course out in the wild
The Major - an obstacle race
The Nuts Challenge - adventure race
Tough Mudder
Wild Warrior - mud run and obstacle course
Mad Monk - obstacle course
Water Wipeout - mud run and obstacle course
Wild Thing - mud run and adventure race
The Fan Dance - race over two sides of Pen-Y-Fan
Zip Wire, Abseil & Multi Vine
Fire Walk
Speedo open water swim
Monster swim - open swim at Loch Ness