A HORSE-RIDER taking on a 1,500km horse ride around Wales is set to pass through Chirk on her journey.

Bethan Matthews from Cray, Brecon, will set out on the challenge on Saturday, June 1, and will attempt to reach the finish line in 29 days.

The 24-year-old is taking on the ride in aid of two charities – Blind Veterans UK and Communities for Horses.

Having spent months carefully planning her route and testing the fitness of both herself and her horses, Bethan is expected to pass through Chirk on her horse Charm on June 8.

Travelling anti-clockwise, Bethan hopes to reach Cardiff at the end of the first day.

From there she heads north towards Newport and beyond, before reaching the Blind Veterans UK centre in Llandudno on June 11.

Bethan’s reason for selecting Blind Veterans UK as one of her charities stems from her grandad’s sight loss.

She said: “My grandad, now 94 years old, suffers from glaucoma.

“He is completely blind in one eye and only has a very small amount of vision in his other.

“Blind Veterans UK has helped him live independently in his home by providing him with aids to make home life without sight easier.

“Understandably, my grandad has reached the stage in his life where he can feel uncomfortable visiting new or busy places due to his loss of sight and limited mobility.

“But, amazingly, Blind Veterans UK provides him with the confidence to visit these places, including travelling abroad, retracing his steps with fellow blind veterans in Normandy.

“My grandad regularly visits the Llandudno centre and participates in a range of activities that have only been made possible by the charity.

“He is my hero. He joined the army in 1939 when he was 14 years old and continued serving until he retired at 50.

“He has so many amazing stories to tell about his life in the army.

“Although that alone makes him a hero, he is my hero for being the most gentle, generous, loving grandfather, father and great-grandfather he can be, but also the strongest and toughest man I know.”

Bethan was prepared to camp out along her travels, but has been inundated with offers of places to stay along her chosen route, which includes provision of food and shelter for Charm.

People are welcome to show their support and encouragement along the route. Anyone wishing to make donations to the charities selected by Bethan can do so by visiting https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/welshborder