AN ORGANISER of a hugely popular walking event has praised all the volunteers, walkers and helpers for a successful weekend.

The Trefonen Hillwalk took place over Saturday to Monday, August 29-31 with families of all ages, plus any four-legged friends brought along, took to the hills around Trefonen for walks.

Helen Francis admitted the warm sunny weather played its part for the event, delayed from May and hopes to be able to announced a total raised soon.

"It was a really good weekend and we're still counting the money we raised," said Helen.

"We decided that the whole thing would have to be outside because of Covid – we usually do some events inside but this year everything happened outside.

"We were really lucky with the weather so we were able to do an auction and other events, such as a church service – it was a great day.

"Usually we hold it over the May Bank Holiday but it was too soon, so we pushed it back to August."

Helen added that the mountain bike and motorcycling event helped the weekend's success, plus a local garden trail and produce stall, and she thanked everyone for their involvement.

"We've only ever missed two years – 1991 for Foot and Mouth and last year for Covid,” she added

"The fact that we have done it this year is in praise of the human spirit.

"We usually split the money, when we've added it up, with a home charity and one abroad.

"We're sending it to clinics in Zimbabwe and Uganda and at home to a new charity called Parkinsons in the Marches."

Helen also confirmed the event is going back to its usual May slot for 2022.

The event was praised highly by one participant and her family.

Pam Linney said: "Thank you to all the organisers and landowners for a wonderful hill walk weekend.

"Very special memories of hill walks gone by lured our grown up children and new family recruits home from the big smoke.

"They were not disappointed.

"Thanks for bringing us all together and grounding us all back home in our beautiful countryside after 18 months of distancing."