A FAMILY with a baking extraordinaire and marathon runner are the latest members to join the Oswestry Cambrian Rotary Club.

Stephen and Erika Walker, and her son Michael Beynon, all live in Chirk, but joined the club last week as the latest 'people of action' in their ranks.

Michael, who has Down Syndrome, is famous for his Coalpit Welsh Cake business, as well as being a marathon runner and charity fundraiser.

He is aided by mum Erika, who was awarded an MBE in 2013 for services to people with disabilities.

All three were welcomed to the club by president Anne Pugh.

She said: “Although the setting was informal, the new members Stephen, Erika and Michael, all from the same family, we’re formally welcomed into our Rotary club.”

Stephen moved to Chirk from Ammanford in South Wales at the end of 2020 and was previously a member of Llanelli Rotary and was a very active member and enjoyed supporting the club in a variety of activities, even their 100-mile bike ride.

Outside of Rotary, he runs a business supplying advice and chemicals to assist industries to clean their effluent water before it is discharged from site.

He is a UK registered athletics coach and coach Special Olympics athletes and still competes in athletics, mainly in race-walking and supporting Michael in his attempt to complete the London Marathon in 2021.

Erika spent most of her early life in South Africa and supports Stephen in his work with Special Olympics Athletes and sits on the Welsh organising committee.

Michael became the first person with Down Syndrome from Wales to complete the Virtual London Marathon in 2020, a feat he hopes to repeat in 2021 in the real marathon.

He has represented Wales and Great Britain at competitions in Germany, Ireland, Italy and Russia and in 2013, he was fortunate enough to run for Pope Francis in the Vatican Square.

To support Michael in his attempt then please go to the Virgin Money Giving page at https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/fundraiser-display/showROFundraiserPage?pageId=1249432