By Philip Welch
BREAKING her spine in a near-fatal accident has never deterred Annie Maw from fundraising for charity.
Last year she ascended Glastonbury Tor in her wheelchair. Carried by a crew of firefighters.
This year she will lead 50 walkers 30 miles from Bath Abbey to Wells Cathedral raising money for the vulnerable elderly at home and in war-torn eastern Ukraine.
Annie 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 which had undergone major renovation.
Bishop Michael praised rich men of the day who gave the money to build almshouses for the poor and suggested they were the equivalent of today’s Elon Musks.
Annie said: “600 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 war with Russia.
“Please join us on our walk. Or sponsor us as we walk on your behalf. Go to gofund.me/5b3076a3 for more information or to make a donation.”
Earlier 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.
“Next we will work with Annie Maw on the 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 one quarter to the Wells Almshouses.
Somerset-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, are supporting the fundraising.
People can apply to join the walk, which will take place in September, by emailing Stephanie Sutcliffe at stephanie.sutcliffe@festival-medical.org