A GROUP of staff and pupils from a school in Colwyn Bay took part in a walkathon to raise funds for Blind Veterans UK, the national charity for visually-impaired ex-Service men and women. 

More than 240 pupils and staff members from Rydal Penrhos walked from their school to the charity’s Llandudno Centre of Wellbeing to raise money for the charity.

Ninety-seven pupils from the senior school headed off from the school at 9am on Wednesday, 6 July before heading towards Colwyn Bay Promenade and walking along the coast to Blind Veterans UK’s Llandudno Centre.

After the group had refuelled with a picnic, they made the return journey.

Along the way they were joined by 147 reception and early years children who had recently met blind veteran and Llandudno town crier Billy Baxter, and were keen not to miss out on this adventure.

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Victoria Beech from the Blind Veterans UK Community Partnerships Team said: “The event was a fantastic way for the students to round off their school year while raising money for Blind Veterans UK, with plans to repeat the walkathon on an annual basis.

“In return we hope to give the students the opportunity to learn more about the charity, the impact of sight loss, and to meet some of the veterans and hear their stories too.

“Partnerships with organisations such as Rydal give us an opportunity to remove the barriers often placed by sight loss. 

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“Giving children the opportunity to learn about the impact of sight loss at an early age removes the apprehension many feel in later life when interacting with people with disabilities.”

The school had originally set a fundraising target of £2,000, but have almost hit £3,000 so far.

If you would like to support the school and help them reach their target please visit their Just Giving page.

If you would like to find out more about ways in which you can support Blind Veterans UK, contact the Community Partnerships Team on fundraising@blindveterans.org.uk or 0300 111 22 33.