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Carmarthen mum taking on Machu Picchu trek in memory of son who died aged two

Sian Milligan, 44, will take on the 11‑day trek through the Peruvian jungle next year alongside her mum, Sylvia Wallace. The pair are raising money for Tŷ Hafan, the children’s hospice that supported their family through the life and death of Sian’s son, Aled.

Sian lives with Functional Neurological Disorder and now needs specialist splints just to walk comfortably. But she’s been training after work, clocking up eight or nine miles at a time.

She said the trek is a personal mission — and a tribute to the little boy who fought every day of his short life.

‘Aled fought so hard to enjoy his life’

Aled was diagnosed with Down’s syndrome and multiple holes in his heart before birth. He later became only the second child in Carmarthenshire ever to be home‑ventilated.

Despite everything, Sian says he was “exceedingly cheeky”, loved music and sensory play, and communicated through sign language.

He died on 13 April 2009, aged just two and a half, after a virus he couldn’t fight off.

Sian said Tŷ Hafan became a lifeline during Aled’s illness — and after his death.

“Tŷ Hafan were wonderful with our Aled. It was a place where I could just be his mum, not his nurse. He loved the sensory room, the rocking chair, the music. Kyle was only four when we lost Aled and the support they gave him was exceptional.”

Her daughter Rhiannon was born three months after Aled died. Both she and Kyle have continued to attend Tŷ Hafan sibling groups over the years.

‘Walking up Machu Picchu is nothing compared to what my boys went through’

Sian says the trek is the toughest physical challenge she has ever faced — but it still doesn’t compare to what her sons endured.

“We can’t train for the altitude, so it’s all about stamina. But walking up Machu Picchu is nothing to what both my boys went through.”

Sylvia, who will be 71 when she takes on the trek, is also determined to complete what she calls her “last big walk”.

The pair will join other fundraisers on the charity challenge in 2027.

‘No family should have to face this alone’

James Davies‑Hale, Head of Fundraising for Tŷ Hafan, said the charity was grateful to Sian and Sylvia for sharing their story.

“When a child’s life will be short, no family should have to live it on their own. This trek will help us support more families through their child’s life, death and beyond.”

More information about the Machu Picchu trek is available via Tŷ Hafan.

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Via #BelleOfTheRanch @ ~10:00pm EST on Nov 29, 2025

Let's talk about #Trump’s mouth getting him in trouble in #Indiana....

#Redistricting #DownsSyndrome

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Pembrokeshire photographer Stephen Lucas wins inaugural Langdon Down Award

When Stephen Lucas lifts his camera to his eye, he sees more than just a landscape. For the Fishguard photographer, the sea, sky and wildlife around him are a source of inspiration, a way to connect with the world and share its beauty with others. Now, his vision has been recognised on the international stage.

Stephen’s striking black‑and‑white image of a Cornish seascape has won the very first Langdon Down Award at the My Perspective competition, an annual showcase for photographers who have Down’s syndrome. The award, named in honour of pioneering physician Dr John Langdon Down, was created this year to highlight the talent of UK entrants.

For Stephen, who has long been passionate about nature and conservation, the accolade is a dream come true. “I’m very happy and proud to win this award,” he said after receiving the prize at a ceremony in London. “I’ve entered before, so it is amazing to win such a special prize in this competition. I love nature, and especially sealife animals, and it’s great I can also take photos of my special place.”

Photography runs in the family. Stephen was inspired by his brother Owen, also a keen photographer, to take up the art. Living by the Pembrokeshire coast, he has developed a particular love for whales, dolphins and birds, and is an active member of the Sea Trust conservation organisation. His work often reflects this deep connection to the natural world.

The winning image impressed judge Rory Langdon‑Down, a renowned portrait photographer and great‑great grandson of Dr John Langdon Down. He praised Stephen’s “wonderful depth” and “cinematic style,” noting that the choice to present the seascape in black and white gave it a timeless quality.

The competition itself has been running since 2010, offering photographers with Down’s syndrome the chance to “flip the lens” and show the world from their perspective. This year saw a record 250 entries from around the globe, ranging from vibrant cityscapes to intimate portraits and nature studies.

Carol Boys OBE, Chief Executive of the Down’s Syndrome Association, said Stephen’s photograph was a worthy winner: “The entries we receive provide a unique glimpse into how people who have Down’s syndrome see and relate to the world around them. Stephen’s stunning photograph, which captures both the power and soothing aspect of nature, is a very worthy winner of the inaugural Langdon Down Award.”

For Stephen, the award is more than a trophy. It is recognition of his talent, his passion for the natural world, and his determination to share that vision with others. Standing beside his family at the Langdon Down Centre in London, he proved that with creativity and perseverance, a photographer from a small coastal town can capture the imagination of an international audience.

#DownSSyndrome #DownSSyndromeAssociation #DrJohnLangdonDown #Fishguard #LangdonDownAward #LangdonDownCentre #Pembrokeshire #Photographer #photography #RoryLangdonDown

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