ABOUT £10,000 has been raised by a sponsored walk from Bath Abbey to Wells Cathedral.
It was led by Somerset’s former Lord-Lieutenant Annie Maw in her wheelchair along a scenic 30-mile route over the weekend of September 13 and 14.
The Modern Day Pilgrimage, as it was labelled, was a fundraiser for Wells Almshouses and the charity Humanity & Inclusion, which helps elderly victims of Russia’s war on Ukraine.
Pilgrims were joined on the first day by Bishop Michael, the Bishop of Bath and Wells. They walked in good conditions, apart from some rain towards the end.
They were greeted at the finish at Wells Cathedral with a cry by Wells Town Crier Len Sweales.
On reaching the finish, Annie – who broke her spine in a near-fatal accident more than 20 years ago – said: “We’ve had an absolutely wonderful experience – full of contrasts, from the quite sophisticated city of Bath, along old Victorian railway lines, through rural countryside, through woods, down dales, through medieval villages. Today we arrived in Wells, the smallest city in England. It’s a very wonderful place to have as a destination.
“It could not have gone better, it’s been wonderful. We only got wet in the latter part of today which is all part of being a pilgrim.”
Ted Allen, the Vice Lord-Lieutenant of Somerset, said it had been an absolutely mammoth trek by Annie, and he thanked and congratulated her.
A member of the Ukrainian community said that they were humbled by what Annie had achieved, and grateful. “Big hugs and thank you,” she added.
Festival Medical Services, which provide volunteer doctors and nurses at Glastonbury Festival and have driven and donated two ambulances full of medical supplies to Ukraine this year, supported the fundraising. Annie is their patron.
Nick Woolf, Chair of the Festival Medical Services Trustees, said: “Festival Medical Services has supported Humanity & Inclusion on several occasions and became aware of the plight of elderly people in Ukraine. When Annie approached us she readily agreed that we had to do something and this was the result.”
Michelle Thomas, CEO of the City of Wells Almshouses, said: “On behalf of the residents and trustees of the City of Wells Almshouses, we are hugely grateful for the time, effort and commitment that has been put in by Annie and the rest of the team, particularly Festival Medical Services.
“We are so proud to be a recipient alongside the very worthwhile Humanity & Inclusion charity.”