1,500km. 29 days. 1 horse and rider...
Bethan Matthews, 24, from Cray, Brecon, is taking on a challenge unlike any other.
In June, she will ride 1,500 kilometres on horseback around the border of Wales 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 ready to depart from Margam, Port Talbot on Saturday, June 1. She will be travelling on Charm, a part-Welsh breed.
“My horse, Charm, is home bred. I have owned her for five years. We have a very good bond and I have complete trust in her,” said Bethan.
“Charm is one of the youngest horses I have; however she is not scared by anything. I have known her from the minute she came into this world and have been the one to help shape her behaviour as she has grown up into the fantastic, loyal, trustworthy, genuine horse she is today.”
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.
“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,” said Bethan, explaining why she has chosen the charity as one of her beneficiaries.
“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.”
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. The generosity of strangers has been most welcomed by Bethan. She now hopes that people will continue to place donations for her chosen charities through her JustGiving page: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/welshborder
“My grandad 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,” said Bethan. “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 will be travelling around 20 km to 65 km a day through a variety of terrains. For the busier roads, she will have a support vehicle to ensure she and Charm are kept safe at all times. The support vehicle will also be on hand to provide water and food at various points.
People are welcome to show their support and encouragement along the route. Bethan expects to finish at Briton Ferry, near Neath, on Saturday 29 June. Her progress can be followed on her Facebook page @WelshBorderRide
Blind Veterans UK helps vision-impaired ex-Service men and women of every generation rebuild their lives after sight loss. Since 1915, the charity has provided rehabilitation, training, practical advice and emotional support to tens of thousands of blind veterans.
Blind Veterans UK currently supports more blind veterans than ever before in the charity’s history, but it knows there are many more who still need its support to rebuild their lives following their sight loss.
Bethan Matthews on Charm in the Welsh hillsides near Brecon
Route Information:
Day 1 (01/06/2019) Margam- Port Talbot- Cowbridge- Cardiff
Day 2 Cardiff – Newport – Caldicot
Day 3 Caldicot – Chepstow – Monmouth
Day 4 Monmouth – Hay-On-Wye
Day 5 Kington- Presteigne – Knighton
Day 6 Montgomery – Welshpool
Day 7 Llangollen
Day 8 Chirk – Overton
Day 9 Wrexham – Queensferry
Day 10 Queensferry – Connah’s Quay – Flint – Hollywell – Prestatyn – Rhyl
Day 11 Rhyl – Abergele – Colwyn Bay – Llandudno
Day 12 Llandudno – Conwy – Llanfairfechan – Bangor
Day 13 Bangor – Beaumaris - Amlwch
Day 14 Amlwch – Rhosneigr
Day 15 Bangor – Caernarfon
Day 16 Caernarfon
Day 17 Tudweiliog
Day 18 Pwllheli – Criccieth
Day 19 Porthmadog – Dolgellau
Day 20 Tywyn
Day 21 Borth
Day 22 Aberystwyth – New Quay
Day 23 New Quay – Cardigan
Day 24 Fishguard – St Davids
Day 25 St Davids – Saundersfoot
Day 26 Saundersfoot
Day 27 Carmarthen – Kidwelly
Day 28 Burry Port – Llanelli
Day 29 (29/06/2019) Swansea – Briton Ferry
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