In September, a remarkable team of adventurers, including former Wales international rugby player Ryan Bevington, Director of Husky Protection Sam Green, Managing Director of Blitzer Group and Army veteran Peter Davies, alongside fellow veteran and Chair of Cyber Wales John Davies MBE and cyber security expert Michael Davies from Brecon-based SudoCyber Ltd, took on the incredible Borneo Sandakan Death March and Mount Trusmadi Challenge. This was all in support of Swansea-based charity Faith in Families.
The challenge was a gruelling trek through the equatorial jungles of Borneo, retracing the harrowing steps of Australian and British POWs during World War II on the infamous Sandakan Death March. The team stopped at one of the memorials to the PoW’s and held a private service to honour fallen comrades which was attended by some of the locals who were acting as guides on the trip.
The journey concluded with a valiant attempt to summit Mount Trusmadi, Borneo’s second-highest peak. Although the team faced intense physical and mental demands, extreme weather conditions, including the tail end of Typhoon Yagi, ultimately prevented them from reaching the top. Despite this, their perseverance and resilience in the face of such challenges made the expedition an inspiring achievement.
We caught up with Ryan Bevington and Sam Green to hear more about their experience.
Reflecting on the Historic Journey
Ryan Bevington shared, “It was incredibly emotional and gave us a huge perspective on life and what the POWs endured. We had history lessons each night from Tam, who rediscovered and recreated the Death March route for people like us to experience. Walking through the dense jungle with no shoes or water, imagining the daily struggle of these soldiers, was both humbling and awe-inspiring.”
Sam Green added, “Some days we covered 10-20 kilometres, but imagining those POWs walking 25 kilometres daily, without basic necessities like water or shoes, left us with a deep sense of respect for their resilience. The history of that time came to life for us in a way we could never have imagined.”
Battling the Elements
The team also faced nature at its fiercest, enduring the powerful Typhoon Yagi during their trek. Ryan recalled a nerve-wracking night: “The whole cabin was shaking in the early hours of the morning. We were soaked to the bone, and the conditions were intense. But thanks to the advice of the ex-military members of our group, we managed to stay warm and keep our morale high by sharing stories and music, despite the lack of electricity or running water.”
Unforgettable Wildlife Encounters
The team had several memorable wildlife experiences. “One night, I found a bright gold bug on my shoulder,” Sam recalled. “It was beautiful, but our guide later told us it was highly toxic and could melt skin if its urine made contact—definitely a wake-up call!”
Ryan also described spotting a Wallace’s Hawk Eagle mid-hunt, swooping down on a flying squirrel. “It was like watching a scene from National Geographic come to life. We were lucky to witness such rare wildlife behaviour up close.”
Why Faith in Families?
When asked why they chose Faith in Families, Sam explained, “Realising we were raising money for such an incredible cause gave even more purpose to the challenge. On a personal level, this experience pushed us to our limits and gave us a fresh perspective on life, but knowing it would help children and families in Swansea made it even more meaningful.”
Ryan echoed the sentiment, “As an ex-athlete, I love pushing myself. This challenge really grounded us and made us appreciate the simple things in life. It’s also strengthened our bonds—personally and professionally. It was one of the best decisions we’ve ever made.”
It’s not too late to show your support! You can still donate to help the team reach their fundraising goal for Faith in Families by visiting their LocalGiving page at https://localgiving.org/fundraising/FiF-Borneo-Challenge-2024.
Every donation will make a real difference to children and families in need, so please consider contributing to this inspiring cause today!
Hear Their Story
You can hear more about Ryan and Sam’s incredible journey and their personal reflections on the Faith in Families Hugs Not Handouts podcast, which will be released on Thursday, 17th October. In this special episode, they share deeper insights into the physical and emotional challenges they faced in Borneo, the history behind the Sandakan Death March, and the life-changing impact of raising funds for such an important cause. Don’t miss it!
A Word from Faith in Families CEO
Cherrie Bija, CEO of Faith in Families, praised the team’s efforts, saying, “What Ryan, Sam, Peter, Michael, John and the team have accomplished is nothing short of inspirational. Their bravery, dedication, and passion not only honour the memory of those who suffered on the Death March but also bring hope and support to the children and families we work with in Swansea. We are so grateful for their incredible achievement and the funds they have raised, which will make a real difference in our community.”
Join the Challenge!
Faith in Families is calling on others to follow in the team’s footsteps and take on future challenges to help raise much-needed funds. Whether you’re looking to push your personal boundaries, create lasting memories, or simply support a great cause, there are many ways to get involved.
To learn more about Faith in Families and how you can take on a challenge to support vulnerable children and families in Swansea, email contact@faithinfamilies.wales
Let’s push ourselves, make a difference, and create change together!
