A YOUNG woman from Undy has climbed to Everest base camp, raising £2,000 for the charity she credits with saving her mum’s life a year ago.
In January 2018, Bethan Goodwin’s mum was seriously injured in a car crash, suffering torn blood vessels in her heart, bruised lungs and kidneys, a shattered pelvis, and spinal cord injuries which have left her paralysed from the chest down.
She was airlifted, by Wales Air Ambulance, to the University of Wales Hospital in Cardiff, and her daughter said the charity’s involvement was crucial to her mum’s survival.
“Without the help of the air ambulance, mum wouldn’t be here today,” she said.
After spending more than 300 days in hospital, Ms Goodwin’s mum was allowed to go home, and seeing her overcome countless obstacles inspired her daughter to take on her own challenge and repay the Wales Air Ambulance for their work saving her mum’s life.
“I’m so unbelievably proud of mum after defying the odds, conquering a million speed bumps and starting a chapter in life with such determination and positivity.
“She takes on any challenge thrown at her with such courage and determination and has worked her socks off to get where she has today,” Ms Goodwin, 28, said.
Watching mum take on one of the biggest challenges in life not only inspired me to live life to the fullest but take on bigger challenges myself.”
Setting herself the ultimate challenge, Ms Goodwin decided to take on the world’s highest mountain, and headed to Nepal for a journey to the base camp on Mount Everest, 5,380 metres above sea level.
During her adventure, Ms Goodwin said altitude sickness and fatigue took their toll on her and the other climbers in her party. Of 19 group members, seven failed to reach their goal.
Ms Goodwin said: “I suffered quite badly with the altitude. It left me constantly breathless for the 11-day trek and even the smallest of tasks seemed a struggle. The day we walked to base camp was the worst. I struggled with a severe headache, loss of appetite and nausea for the 12 hours of walking there and back.”
But the struggle was worth it, Ms Goodwin said.
“The support from the other people in the group was phenomenal, we all had our own reasons for doing the trip and encouraging each other to keep walking was a massive help. I’m never normally an emotional person but [I was] ringing everyone at home, especially mum, to say that I had got there. [It] was the best feeling and I couldn’t stop crying. I’m so proud of what I achieved in those two weeks.”
Ms Goodwin has since returned home, and will soon go back to work despite two “very sore knees”.
Thanking those who had donated to her cause, she said: “Without the help of this charity my life would be very different right now. They saved my mums life and for that my family and I are incredibly grateful.
“We understand that this charity is solely funded by donations...Your donations will help keep this vital service in Wales.”
To donate to Ms Goodwin’s cause, visit
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