Woolton Hill group walks from Reading to Bath to raise money for Flying Scholarships for Disabled People
A group of friends from Woolton Hill walked the distance from Reading to Bath along the Kennet and Avon Canal last month to raise money for Flying Scholarships for Disabled People.
Claire Robins and Sandra Ferguson were inspired to organise the 75-mile walk in order to support the daughter of their friend Nikki Evans, who has benefited from the scholarship programme.
Abi Evans, 21, was diagnosed with the rare genetic condition Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) at 17. It has had a fundamental impact on her mobility and lifestyle and she now needs a wheelchair to get around.
Although no longer being able to pursue her dream of becoming a commercial pilot, Abi applied to the Flying Scholarships for Disabled People (FSDP) programme and was accepted in 2022.
By the end of the programme she was flying fully unaided and she is now well on her way to obtaining her private pilot’s license.
Having benefited so much from the scholarship, Miss Evans is now raising the full £12,000 required to give someone else the opportunity to benefit from this life-changing experience.
Mrs Robins and Mrs Ferguson decided to help Miss Evans realise this goal and along with their friends Julie Whittington and Julia Piper, they completed the physically-demanding challenge and have raised nearly £2,000 in the process.
Mrs Robins said: “It was a wonderful way to spend four days and despite the occasional aches and pains and a few small blisters between us, we had a lot of laughs along the way.
“There were five of us at the start but ten and a dog to finish off this amazing adventure.”
The group of four pals, along with Miss Evans, started their walk on the morning of Wednesday, September 20 in Reading and arrived in Newbury by the early evening drenched by the day’s rain.
On Thursday, the group began their walk in Bath so they could finish their fundraising journey back in Newbury.
They were joined by friends, family members and FSDP representatives over the following days and they finished their 75-mile, four-day trek on the evening of Saturday, September 23.
Mrs Robins said: “Not even two fallen trees blocking the towpath just a mile from Newbury were going to stop all of us, including Abi in her wheelchair, from completing our challenge and we arrived at the Lock Stock and Barrel in Newbury at 5.30pm.
“We couldn't have done any of this without the huge support of Nikki Evans providing lifts every day and all her moral support, as well as husbands Stephen Ferguson, David Piper and Peter Robins for the lifts they also provided.”
To donate to their fundraiser, visit http://rb.gy/6qp5w
Mrs Robins added: “Most importantly we are extremely grateful to everyone who has given a donation and helped us raise nearly £2,000 which will be added to the funds Abi has already raised for the Flying Scholarship for Disabled People.”
