For most of his life, Phil Thompson believed one dream would remain forever out of reach. At 19, a devastating motorcycle accident left him in a wheelchair, forcing him to let go of the simple joys of walking, climbing, and exploring the rugged landscapes he loved. But in his heart, one wish never faded: reaching the summit of Snowdon, Wales’s highest peak.
Now at 66 years old, Phil’s dream might have seemed impossible—until a group of rugby players decided otherwise.
Phil’s son, Sam Thompson, plays for Bangor Rugby Club. Over the years, Phil has become one of the club’s most loyal supporters, attending every match, no matter the weather. His dedication didn’t go unnoticed. Mark Owen, a fellow club member, had been organizing a fundraising climb of Snowdon after their funding was cut by the Welsh Rugby Union. When he learned of Phil’s lifelong dream, he knew this was the moment to do something extraordinary.
“It felt only right,” Mark said. “Phil hasn’t missed a game in over a year. Helping him get to the top was the least we could do.”
At first, the plan seemed simple enough: find an electric wheelchair to carry Phil to the summit. But just days before the climb, they discovered the chair could only travel partway, on a different route. With time running out, the team nearly lost hope—until a local welding company, Pro Weld in Caernarfon, stepped in. In just three days, they built a custom frame that would allow the players to carry Phil’s wheelchair up the steep path. They donated it for free.
And so, at dawn on the day of the climb, the team gathered. At 5 a.m., they set off—carrying tackle bags as part of the fundraiser, but most importantly, preparing to carry one of their biggest supporters to the top. From Camp Llanberis, Phil waited for them, ready to begin the journey he had imagined for decades.
It took over three hours of teamwork, sweat, and determination. Every player over the age of sixteen took turns lifting, pushing, and carrying Phil up the mountain’s rugged trail. Step by step, they made their way toward the sky.
Finally, they reached the peak—3,650 feet above sea level.
For Phil, the moment was overwhelming. From his wheelchair, he gazed out at the sweeping Welsh landscape, finally seeing the world from the summit he had only dreamed about. His son Sam, overcome with gratitude, thanked the entire team with tears in his eyes. “You’ll never know what this means to us,” he told them.
Mark noticed even Phil, usually a stoic man, grow quiet as he took in the view. “I know he’s not a very emotional guy,” Mark said, “but I saw he had a moment.”
That day wasn’t just about climbing a mountain—it was about carrying someone’s dream, proving that community and compassion can lift us higher than we ever thought possible. For Phil, it was more than a fundraiser. It was a promise kept, a lifelong wish fulfilled, and a reminder that no dream is ever truly unreachable when others are willing to carry you there.
