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Starting their 177 mile journey are Emyr Wyn Davies (left) and Huw Jones (right) at Prestatyn[/caption]
Farmers’ Union of Wales County Executive Officer’s Emyr Wyn Davies and Huw Jones are blazing a trail along the 177 mile long Offa’s Dyke Path in a bid to raise funds for the FUW President’s charity British Heart Foundation Cymru.
Having started their journey on Friday June 17 in Prestatyn, the enthusiastic duo have so far completed 52 miles of the 8th Century National Trail.
The trail, was opened in the summer of 1971, linking Sedbury Cliffs near Chepstow on the banks of the Severn estuary with the coastal town of Prestatyn on the shores of the Irish sea.
It passes through no less than eight different counties and crosses the border between England and Wales over 20 times.
The Offa’s Dyke trail explores the tranquil Marches,as the border region is known, and passes through the Brecon Beacons National Park on the spectacular Hatterrall Ridge.
In addition it links no less than three Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty – the Wye Valley, the Shropshire Hills and the Clwydian Range / Dee Valley.
The first four days of their challenge had them walking from Prestatyn to Rhuallt, Rhuallt to Bodfari to Clwyd Gate, onto Trevor - Llangollen and then onto the Racecourse Common at Oswestry.
Speaking about the challenge, FUW Meirionnydd County Executive Officer Huw Jones said: “I am very keen to support the charity, and this is a task that I had wanted to do for some time. Now the opportunity has come to combine the both and I must say that it is an extremely interesting walk.
“We have met many people along the way and I love learning about the local history and enjoy the spectacular views. The path frequently follows the impressive Offa’s Dyke itself.
“This amazing hand-dug bank and ditch was built in the 8th century by command of King Offa of the ancient Anglo-Saxon kingdom of Mercia.
“It was probably intended to divide Mercia from rival kingdoms in what is now Wales, and some sections still form the England/Wales border today.
“I would like to thank those who have helped us along the way so far and I now look forward to completing the rest of the path and joining our friends at the National Eisteddfod.”
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Emyr is excited to join the fight against heart disease[/caption]
But as with all challenges of this scale, every team needs support. Providing just that was John Price of Clawddnewydd, Ruthin, who helped Huw and Emyr with transporting their bags on the first leg of their challenge.
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Emyr and Huw were joined by FUW Dolgellau office Admin assistant Ffion Edwards and FWAG Cymru’s Glenda Thomas for a stretch of the walk[/caption]
“Raising money for the British Heart Foundation in my opinion is for a very good cause. I received surgery in April 2011 after being diagnosed by a locum doctor in September 2010 with a leaking aortic heart valve,” explains John Price, whose wife Alwena works part time in the FUW’s Ruthin office.
The results of the ECG test revealed that he had a tricuspid Aortic Valve and it was established that this was a hereditary problem.
“My father suffered the same problem and had an operation in the early 1980’s and in April 2011 I underwent the 8 hour operation to replace my aortic valve, repair to the heart wall and repair to the root of the valve at Broadgreen Hospital Liverpool.
“All the money raised by the British Heart Foundation for new research will benefit many people in the future as everyone has been affected by heart problems be it family or friends.
“I cannot praise the British Heart Foundation enough as it has given me a new lease of life and I wish Emyr and Huw all the very best of luck and stamina to complete this fantastic challenge,” he added.
Emyr and Huw are tackling the remaining 125 miles on Monday July 25, when they will re-start their walk from Llanymynech to Forden.
Hoping to finish at Sedbury Cliffs on Sunday July 31, they will walk via Knighton, Hay on Wye, Pandy and Monmouth.
“I fancied a challenge,” says Emyr Wyn Davies, who joined the FUW as the County Executive Officer for Montgomeryshire last year.
“The Clwydian Range section has been the most intense so far but it is for such a great cause that all the sweat is well worth it.”
“Did you know that if you walk entire route from south to north there is about 28,000ft of ascent, which is the same as the height of Everest?,” Emyr laughs.
“I am really excited to join in the fight against heart disease and hope that we will not just raise money for BHF Cymru but also raise awareness of how much of a problem heart disease is across Wales and the whole of the UK.”
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Up another hill - the group tackling the Clwydian Range[/caption]
Following in the footsteps of Emyr and Huw will be FUW Caernarfon County Executive Officer Gwynedd Watkin and a team of fellow fundraisers, who are starting their walk at the end of July.
FUW President Glyn Roberts is also throwing his enthusiasm and support behind the challenge, saying: “I must thank our staff and friends of the Union for their continued support in our fundraising efforts - we could not raise as much money for our charitable causes without your dedication and tenacity.
“I am pleased to say that Huw and Emyr have already raised over £500 with this walk - so if anybody still wants to sponsor them, please contact our head office on 01970 820820 or the respective FUW county offices - Newtown on 01686 626889 and Dolgellau on 01341 422298.
“I wish the team of walkers all the best of luck for the rest of their challenge and look forward to welcoming them to the FUW stand at the National Eisteddfod on Monday August 1.”