Somerset’s former Lord-Lieutenant is about to embark on another charity challenge, this time leading 50 walkers on the 30-mile journey from Bath Abbey to Wells Cathedral in a wheelchair.
Annie Maw (centre, right) during a trek | Photo provided
Breaking her spine in a near-fatal riding accident more than 20 years ago has not deterred Annie Maw from fundraising for charity.
Last year she ascended Glastonbury Tor in her wheelchair, carried by a crew of firefighters.
This year’s challenge, which will be taking place on the weekend of 13th and 14th September, will be raising money for the vulnerable elderly at home and in war-torn Eastern Ukraine.
Annie is patron of Somerton-based Festival Medical Services, who provide volunteer doctors and nurses to Glastonbury Festival and have taken two ambulances full of medical supplies to Ukraine this year.
She revealed details of the challenge at the City of Wells Almshouses, where the Bishop of Bath and Wells had just rededicated their 15th century chapel after major renovation.
Annie said: “Six hundred years ago our Bishop Nicholas Bubwith left a bequest for the foundation of the Wells Almshouses because he cared about the vulnerable elderly.
“We are following his example as we continue his support for elderly people in here and, as he would have wished, we are also supporting elderly people in Ukraine who are suffering great difficulties, danger and deprivation because of the invasion by Russia.”
The aim is to raise £20,000. Annie is appealing for people to either join her on the challenge or sponsor her via her GoFundMe page.
Michelle Thomas, chief executive of the almshouses, said: “We are deeply grateful to the National Lottery Heritage Fund and the many other donors who made the restoration of this wonderful historic chapel possible.
“Now we will ensure it is well used for the benefit of our community in Wells. And we will be working with Annie on her fundraising campaign.”
Each of the 50 walkers will be asked to raise £1,000 of sponsorship which will go to the two charities – three-quarters to Ukraine and a quarter to the Wells Almshouses.
Anyone interested in joining the walk can email [email protected]
