A GROUP of women hiked up one of the highest peaks in Wales for our 125 Appeal.

Five women from the #ifyougoigo project took on the challenge of walking Pen-y-Fan, followed by a walk up to the Folly and the shell grotto in Pontypool. The project was originally created to get women and girls from Torfaen to become physically active and they launched a 10-week fitness and health programme for 10 women living in the Torfaen area.

On May 1, five of the women including Anita Sellick, Katie Jenkins, Cara Battrick, Kate Evans and Sammi Thomas, set a challenge to walk 12.5k to raise money for St David’s Hospice Care on behalf of our appeal. The volunteers, sports development staff and a personal trainers from Torfaen Leisure Trust began their day at 8.30am and did not finish until late in the afternoon. The group of women raised in the region of £260 for the appeal fund.

Torfaen County Borough Council sports development officer Bridie Cobley spoke to the women about fundraising for the 125 Appeal and they were delighted with the idea of supporting the work of St David’s Hospice Care.

She said: “When I told the girls about the appeal they were all willing to get behind it with. Coming up with the challenge was the hardest part.

“We didn’t know if they would make it because they hit a wall, but they got through it. It was tough at times and the weather didn’t help because they had to battle with rain and wind.”

She added: “It was a huge achievement for the women because they have never done anything like this before. I am very proud and some of them are talking about doing it all again. Some have been inspired to walk parts of it again with their children, which was something they wouldn’t have done before.”