Wrexham lads win award for StrongMen charity fundraising

Jack Aplin, Jake Dodwell-Clee, and George Done tackled the three peaks challenge last year in aid of StrongMen, a charity set up to support men with bereavement. 

The chosen charity was selected following the sad passing of Jack's dad Gary, who was taken by cancer in January 2021. 

Jake Dodwell-Clee, Jack Aplin and George Done during the three peaks challenge. (Image: Public)

The trio tackled the mountainous challenge in a time of 23 hours and 10 minutes, while raising over £8,000 in the process, much to the delight of Jack. 

He said: "Stood on top of Snowdon knowing you had raised over £5,000 and counting was an incredible feeling. 

READ MORE: Rob McElhenney's heartfelt message after death of Wrexham AFC fan Gary Aplin

"We knew that the challenge would gain some traction due to its enormity but even I couldn’t believe the insane generosity of people. 

"I also knew my dad's name had a pull, he was a great man, and having the fundraising effort in his name was an honour for me and certainly helped us in our efforts. 

"To know that we were doing this in aid of something we feel passionately about, and have all suffered from, gave us the strength we needed to complete the challenge."

As a result of their impressive fundraising efforts, the three lads headed down to London to celebrate a StrongMen charity evening. 

Jack added: "By raising the funds for StrongMen we were invited down to London to receive an award for our efforts. 

The trio with their award at the StrongMen event. (Image: Jack Aplin)

"My fellow three peak heroes and I were amazed not only to find out it was a James Bond-themed evening but at The Mayfair Hotel, in Mayfair.

"Not bad for some Wrexham lads," he joked. 

READ MORE: One dad's mission to help other men open up

The fundraising challenge seems to have whet the appetite of the trio, who follow in Gary's footsteps, a man renowned for his charity efforts. 

"The pain we endured throughout the challenge was something the boys and I potentially underestimated. However, knowing the good we were doing and the services we were hopefully benefiting got us to the top of the climbs," Jack said. 

"As for other challenges we have been debating and brainstorming other ideas, it would have to be something people would be willing to donate to again.

"It would have to be something even harder. Could be cycling, could be rowing, or maybe even some more hills. Either way, we are only at the beginning of what we want to achieve."

For more information about StrongMen, click here.