Helen’s Inner Wheel Walk for Wales Air Ambulance

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A Carmarthenshire woman is walking the Pembrokeshire Coast Path once a week for a year to raise funds for a lifesaving helicopter charity.

Helen Starkey, from Abergwilli, has already raised £610 of her £1,500 target for the Wales Air Ambulance.

Helen set off on her challenge in July to take on the 186 miles of the Pembrokeshire coast path and hopes to complete the challenge by 30 June 2021. She is joined on her walks by her companion ‘Kal Junior’ the koala bear.

Reflecting on the importance of raising funds for the charity, Helen said: “I am blessed to live in a beautiful country, however, the rural nature of Wales can present challenges. Over the years, many ill and injured people have benefitted from Wales Air Ambulance’s ability to reach difficult or remote areas of Wales to bring desperately needed medical assistance.”

The Chair of the Inner Wheel Club of Carmarthen (District 15) has so far completed a variety of different walks. Some of the walks have included Strumble Head to Abermawr, Abermawr beach to Abereiddy and Abereiddy to Whitesands Bay.

Helen has also been joined during the fundraiser by family and friends on a variety of different walks. Helen has enjoyed the ‘fantastic views’ which have been made even better by watching seals and pups on the beaches below.

She said: “The walks are going well as I plan them in advance taking account of weather conditions and transport arrangements. The scenery is wonderful, and each walk is quite different in terms of topography, degree of difficulty and length. I pack an energy-giving lunch with plenty of fluids!”

So far Helen has completed over 66 miles of her 187 aim. As the days are shorter, Helen will walk around 3 hours, so between 5 or 6 miles a week during the winter months.

Helen is grateful for the donations that she has already received. She said: “Thank you so much to everyone who has sponsored me and for supporting Wales Air Ambulance.”

The Charity’s South and Mid Wales Fundraising Manager, Mark Stevens, said: “A huge thank you to Helen, who has continued her walks despite the weather. Her dedication and determination to complete the 186 miles is amazing and her kindness will help us continue to save lives in Wales.”

Helen will recommence her challenge the first fine day after the ‘fire break’ lockdown.

You can show your support to Helen by sponsoring her via her Wales Air Ambulance donation page – Helen’s Inner Wheel Walk for Wales Air Ambulance https://www.walesairambulance.com/fundraisers/helens-inner-wheel-walk-for-wales-air-ambulance

Inner Wheel is one of the largest women’s voluntary service organisations in the world with members in 103 countries.

For more information visit www.innerwheeldistrict15.com


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