£180 a mile for Plant Dewi!

26 miles = £4685

Back in May, a group of St Davids Diocesan Council for Social Responsibility (DCSR) members braved blustery weather for the sake of a good cause. Manager Catrin Eldred was one of them.

It started in Walton East Church for a very early morning bacon bap. Then, at about 7.30am the group set off on a 26-mile walk to raise money for Plant Dewi, a family support project of the St Davids DCSR.

Many months in the planning and lots of hours of training led up to the day with 11 businesses sponsoring T-shirts for the brave walkers that signed up. Sponsorship was raised through local giving online and through sponsor forms. The response was incredible and really helped to keep the walkers going on the day.

The walk took a scenic route through lanes and footpaths from Walton East to the Canonry in St Davids. It was a tough route with plenty of hills, traffic and aching feet to contend with.

Spirits were lifted by the generosity of churches and local businesses en route that provided refreshments, facilities and much needed words of encouragement to keep spirits high. The walkers met many people along the way who also added to the collection tins and even a cyclist that was on the Tour of Pembrokeshire turned around to put a fiver in the pot!

For the walkers, it was a chance to come together and take on a challenge for a great cause. It was a test of stamina and will to get through the 26 miles especially when the rain and wind pushed against them in the closing stages. But they did it and enjoyed a well-deserved feast when they arrived back, soaking wet, at the Canonry.

A huge well done to all those that took part and helped raise the fantastic amount of £4685 for Plant Dewi. A special thank you to Rev Sophie Whitmarsh who suggested the idea and planned the route. The group are already thinking about their next challenge!