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Tom Uttley, from the Glamorgan Heritage Coast Ministry Area, is preparing to take his journey of faith to extraordinary new heights as he plans to carry a 2.5‑metre wooden cross to the summit of Pen‑y‑fan, the highest peak in South Wales to raise money for St Illtud’s Church, Llantwit Major.
Tom, aged 27, is no stranger to physical challenge, having served in the British Army since he was 19, but this climb is deeply personal.
Tom shares that he is still on a journey of faith and sometimes struggles to understand scripture in daily life. As someone who learns through action and experience, he hopes that literally walking the way of the cross will bring him closer to Christ.
He is being sponsored for the challenge, with all funds raised going to St Illtud’s, a church that holds special meaning for him and his wife Zoe. The couple were married there in June, and Zoe was baptised on Easter Day. Tom explains that coming to church has increased his self‑awareness and helped him see the world differently, adding that Zoe’s encouragement has been a profound support in his faith.
The climb, reaching 886 metres, will take place in mid‑August with an early morning start to avoid the heat. Tom has climbed Pen‑y‑fan before with family, friends, and during Army training, but this ascent will be a unique act of devotion. Inspired by seeing another walker carrying a cross last year, Tom decided to take on the challenge himself — with a much larger cross — and dedicate the effort to his church community.
Fr Edwin Counsell, part of the support team for the day, says, “Everyone is getting behind Tom for this challenge. The cross he’s carrying is the same one we use in church on Good Friday, and then decorate with flowers for Easter Day.
It’s heavy, awkward and I always get splinters when I pick it up, and maybe that’s a reminder that God travels alongside us most powerfully on the difficult bits of life’s journey.”
“Tom is literally living out the hard yards of his faith journey, and he does so with all of our love and prayers… and the view from the summit will be fabulous!”
