A group of scaffolders have carried and erected an eight-metre-high tower on the summit of Pen y Fan in Wales in support of a Bristol colleague with terminal cancer.
Jason Cary, 46, a project manager at Construction Site Scaffolding (CSS), was diagnosed with stage four cancer in May, just months after first experiencing neck and back pain.
On 25 July, more than 70 friends, family members and colleagues climbed the 886-metre peak, hauling scaffolding equipment to the summit before constructing the temporary structure, believed to be the highest tower ever built in the UK.
The group are estimated to have covered around four miles (6 km) in total during the round trip from the Pont ar Daf car park, with an ascent of more than 430 metres while carrying the heavy scaffolding materials.
A flag reading “A Tower for Jason” was fixed to the structure before it was dismantled and the materials were carried back down the mountain.
£20,000 Raised
The climb has so far raised more than £20,000, which will go directly to Mr Cary’s wife, Harriet, and their two young children. Participants from CSS also donated a day’s wages, contributing nearly £7,000 to the total.
According to the event’s fundraising page, the aim was to ensure the family had “the resources they need to face this journey with as much comfort and security as possible”.
Emotional moment at the summit
CSS managing director Ivor Hawtin said colleagues were determined to act when they learned of Mr Cary’s illness.
“Generally, when people get this dreadful news, they almost want to isolate themselves,” he said. “But the lads wanted to do something. One suggested a charity walk up Pen y Fan and word soon spread.”
He described emotional scenes when a message from Mr Cary was read out at the summit.
“You could see there were a lot of big, strong, tattooed blokes who were very much emotionally attached to what was going on.”
Several participants completed the climb despite significant personal challenges, including one with only one lung and others recovering from illness.
Ongoing support
The National Trust granted permission for the event, and all scaffolding was removed after the build.
Mr Cary is receiving care at Dorothy House Hospice while fundraising efforts continue. The GoFundMe page invites people to “be part of this tower of strength for Jason” through donations, sharing the story, or offering messages of support.
