A knight in shining armour has stepped forward with a quirky challenge for our hospices

On Friday 22^nd September, Damien Thompson of Fron in the Nantlle Valley will be undertaking a sponsored 23-lap walk of Conwy Castle’s famous walls. 

Former soldier, Damien is no stranger to a “stunt” as he puts it, and has undertaken many a challenge in aid of good causes.

Conwy Castle where each lap of the walls is just over 1,200m (pic Pixabay)

He said: “I recently donned a full RNLI uniform and cycled from the lifeboat station in Pwllheli to Llanberis where I walked up and down Eryri (Snowdon) in the kit before cycling back which took twelve and a half hours.

“I am a member of the chivalric and Christian organisation The Knight Templars, many of us are based in Conwy, so for our next challenge thought the castle wall walk would be quite apt, and of course Tŷ Gobaith is a very worthwhile local cause.”

Could be a long day

Damien, 53, a House Manager for care company Anheddau is looking forward to the challenge and isn’t at all phased by the distance or the potential rain or heat.

“I’m not concerned about the conditions, I was in the army, so that doesn’t phase me.

“One of my friends has just worked it out though, and the 23 laps will total around 18.5 miles, so I’m popping down there beforehand to see how long a lap would take me.

“It could be a long day,” he laughed.

Damien Thompson at the steps of Conwy Castle in his armour

Damien chose the 23 laps as it is his birthday on the 23^rd September and also the year 2023.

Damien plans to start the walk at around 8am from the Jester’s Tower near the quay with a send-off from some medieval friends and will be doing a bucket collection along the way.

Sponsor Damien here