Welsh Women Walking go to great heights for local charities

A group of 14 women from Wales have raised more than £100,000 for charity by climbing the highest mountain in Africa.

The eight day expedition to the top of Mount Kilimanjaro was organised by the Welsh Women Walking group in a bid to fundraise for Breast Cancer Care Cymru and local children’s hospice, Tŷ Hafan.

The group received donations, sponsorships and organised fundraising initiatives, including abseiling events, a bangers and mash party and an Italian Christmas drop in day, to help them reach their target sum. Designer and Welsh Women Walking member Karen Dell’Armi also created a range of jewellery to help the group in its fundraising efforts, whilst friends, family and colleagues also offered support and donations.

Founder of Welsh Women Walking Jacquie Williams and managing director of Llandaff-based SCS Aftercare said: “We are overwhelmed at the generosity of those who have contributed to our fundraising efforts. To have raised more than £100,000 for causes which are so close to our hearts is more than we could have hoped for when we embarked upon the challenge.”

Amongst the tallest freestanding mountains in the world, Mount Kilimanjaro stands at 19340 feet/5895 metres and was a challenge of epic proportions for the women, many of whom prior to joining the group had never taken part in a climb as physically demanding as this one, or indeed had any prior walking experience.

The trek, which involved six days of climbing up the summit and two days on the downwards return, took the group from humid jungles through to glaciers with temperatures of -38 degrees. The expedition was led by accountant and mountaineer Gary Parker through his expedition company Club 7 Summits.

Welsh Women Walking was founded in a bid to promote walking as a means of wellbeing for women and to generate funds for charity. Its members include Janet Carey of Lloyds TSB Commercial, Cheryl Gape of Target, Meryl Morgan of Morgan Cole Solicitors and Debbie Trotman of the IOD. Ms Williams emphasises, “We are not a conventional serious walking group. We walk, talk, amble, talk some more, stretch a bit, admire a fantastic view from the top of a hill, and then are very likely to relax over a glass of wine afterwards before returning to our busy lives feeling much better as a result. What’s more we each donate £10 to charity per walk.

“The Kili adventure has been an experience of a life time. We are a disparate group in many ways; varying in ages, in degrees of fitness, in careers and in backgrounds. However we all share the same determination and were all massively committed to reaching our fundraising targets.”

Frank Ady, Corporate Fundraiser for Tŷ Hafan children’s hospice said: “We are extremely thankful to Welsh Women Walking for choosing Tŷ Hafan as one of their dedicated charities. The money they have raised will go a long way towards the figure we currently need in order to replace our hydrotherapy pool, for children, young people and families at the hospice to benefit from”.

Welsh Women Walking are sponsored by the Wendy Hopkins family Law Practice LLP. Partner Thea Hughes comments, “As a family lawyer, I see many women who are going through stressful or worrying experiences who would benefit from taking part in Welsh Women Walking activities. I wholeheartedly encourage their efforts, and wish them well on their next intrepid adventure!”

Welsh Women walking meet on the first Sunday of every month to take part in a 3-4 hour walk suitable for all abilities. The group are now planning their next expedition to Nepal, where they hope to follow the Lang Tang Trail in the Himalayas. If you would like to join Welsh Women Walking visit www.welshwomenwalking.co.uk for more information. For more information on Karen Dell’Armi Contemporary Jewellery visit www.dellarmi.co.uk

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