Rugby coach to climb highest peak with tumble dryer

Tommy Dunford will take on the challenge on 23 June

A rugby league coach is set to scale one of the UK's tallest mountains with a tumble dryer strapped to his back.

Tommy Dunford, 33, will climb Yr Wyddfa, also known as Snowdon, with the 66lb (30kg) appliance in a bid to raise money for his club.

The cash generated will be used to renovate the clubhouse at Dewsbury Celtic RLFC.

Discussing the scale of the challenge, he told the BBC: "If it was a walk in the park no-one would donate."

Mr Dunford, who lost a kidney and half his diaphragm to cancer when he was a child, said friends had suggested he was "stupid" to take on the 23 June feat.

A builder by trade, he said he was inspired by Cpl Sam Hammond, a Royal Marine who climbed Wales' three highest peaks with a fridge on his back in 2022.

Mr Dunford, who lives in Horbury, said: "I’ve never shied away from a challenge and I know it’s going to be hard, but it has to be.

"When I’m out with the dryer as part of my training, people have been driving past and talking to me and they want to know why I’m doing it - the interactions have been really positive."

Yr Wyddfa, also known as Snowdon, is Wales' highest summit

Mr Dunford has been involved with Dewsbury Celtic since he was a child, with his grandfather and father having played for the club.

Founded by Irish immigrants living in the town in the 19th Century, the side is believed to be one of the oldest amateur clubs in the UK.

Mr Dunford played for the club until a knee injury ended his playing days in 2023, though he has now switched to coaching the side's younger squad members.

Mr Dunford said he was looking forward to the "first beer" after completing the challenge

The club's base, at Dewsbury Irish National League Club, urgently required renovation to help attract potential players and supporters, he said.

"It looks the same as it did when I was six or seven years old," Mr Dunford said.

"The last thing I’d want is kids wanting to play here but going to a different club because the clubhouse is nicer."

The father-of-three concluded: "I can imagine it’ll be a really good feeling when it’s done and that first beer afterwards is going to taste really nice.

"My mates being there and people cheering me on will give me a lot of motivation."

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