Groups of staff made the journey from the rolling hills of Buckinghamshire to the even bigger hills of Wales to take part in the the trek, and they were split into three groups: those who climbed it once, those who cycled it, and those who climbed it TWICE.
Janet Watt, Supporter Development Manager, said: “Twenty-eight WV staff and friends, past and present, headed over to Snowdonia for Friday's challenge. Five cycled a gruelling 40miles on the steep mountain passes in the area. Seventeen set off at 9am from our hostel up Rhyd Ddu path, with amazing views all the way to the top. After the slog up and a well-earned cup of tea, they tottered down the Snowdon Ranger path with a few thrillseekers jumping in the lake at the end to cool off. As if that wasn't impressive enough, six crazy team members set their alarms and made the climb at 6am to see sunrise over Yr Wyddfa (formerly known as Snowdon). They then nipped down the Miner's path and up the popular Pyg track before almost catching up with the main group down the Snowdon Ranger path. What a day! What spurred us on? The encouragement from the team, the knowledge that we were making a difference and the thought of a hot shower at the end!”
More locally, other staff completed a charity walk at the lovely Rushmere Country Park in Bedfordshire. The 10km walk took the group around Rushmere Park and into Stockgrove Park, as well as Bakers Wood, past wonderful scenery as the weather was less wonderful, while also taking on a personal challenge for each of them.
Also present was Patch, the star of World Vision’s Pumpkin Heroes, an autumn-themed resource pack for children which this year is aimed around highlighting food insecurity going on in the world right now. Patch is the star of the campaign, and will be busy in October highlighting the campaign to families, churches, and schools.
The Snowdon hikers/cyclists together with the local walkers raised a collective total of over £6,500, with the JustGiving page still live here.
One walker was Laura Mason, Supporter Care Manager at World Vision UK, who said: “This weekend World Vision staff have taken on a series of challenges in an attempt to raise money for some of the world’s most vulnerable children. I was part of the group staying local, where we brought along our family’s and walked 10km around the hills of Rushmere and Stockgrove Country Park. We had a fabulous turn out and were joined by WVUK’s very own Patch the Pumpkin. Despite ending the walk in a thunderstorm, we finished with smiles on our faces knowing that the money we were raising would have a huge impact in the communities we work with.”
World Vision's focus is on helping the world’s most vulnerable children overcome poverty and experience fullness of life. For over 70 years, they have worked together with communities in almost 100 countries, and have changed the lives of over 200 million children in the past five years alone.
