Pilton's Annie Maw to lead 30-mile pilgrimage from Bath to Wells after Tor heroics

Pilton resident Annie Maw has never let breaking her spine in a near-fatal accident stop her from taking on extraordinary charity challenges.

Last year the former Lord Lieutenant of Somerset was carried up Glastonbury Tor in her wheelchair by a crew of firefighters. This September, she will lead 50 walkers on a 30-mile pilgrimage from Bath Abbey to Wells Cathedral.

The two-day trek, taking place on Saturday 13 and Sunday 14 September, will raise money for Humanity and Inclusion – which supports vulnerable elderly people in war-torn eastern Ukraine – and the City of Wells Almshouses charity.

Each walker is being asked to raise £1,000 in sponsorship, with three-quarters going to Ukraine and the remainder to the almshouses. The walk will end on the Cathedral's West Front at around 2pm on the Sunday, in time for a special Festal Evensong service at 3pm. Those not attempting the full route are invited to join Annie for the final three downhill miles from the Hunters Lodge Inn in Priddy.

Annie announced details of the challenge at the Wells Almshouses, where Bishop Michael recently rededicated the restored 15th-century chapel. Praising the medieval donors who founded the almshouses, the Bishop compared them to today's "Elon Musks".

Annie said: "Six hundred 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 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 invasion by 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."

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."

Somerset-based Festival Medical Services, who provide volunteer doctors and nurses to Glastonbury Festival and have delivered ambulances of medical supplies to Ukraine this year, are backing the walk. Annie is their patron.

Anyone wanting to join the pilgrimage can email Stephanie Sutcliffe at [email protected]