The Gambia – Swansea Vision 2020 Eye Link

On Saturday 22nd September 30 supporters of the Gambia Swansea Vision 2020 Link took part in the first sponsored walk to raise funds for the cause. The group met at Oxwich Bay car park on the beautiful Gower peninsular at 10.30 and all received a t-shirt kindly donated by Lindsay Bater of Bater and Jones Opticians. The youngest supporter, Isaac Madeira-Cole aged just 6 months, proudly wore his own baby sized t-shirt too!

After a group photo and the distribution of a map of the route in case anyone fell behind or got lost, the walkers set off through the beautiful village of Oxwich. The sun shone as the group made its way through local woods to the village of Reynoldston. From here the route took an uphill turn across the ridge of Cefn Bryn. At the highest point everyone relaxed for a well earned picnic and admired the fantastic panoramic views across the Gower. The next part of the journey was all downhill and through the woods to Parc Le Breos, the site of a neolithic burial chamber. The path then led to The Gower Heritage a local countryside crafts centre. Here everyone enjoyed a welcome refreshment whilst having a brief look round this tourist attraction.

The last part of the walk was down Three Cliffs Valley onto the beach. The tide was out but unfortunately not enough for the group to walk round the Tor to continue back to Oxwich. However after resting for 15 minutes the tide was low enough to allow everyone to scramble over the rocks and down onto the sands again. Here it was all plain sailing  around the curve of the beach back to Oxwich. A welcome barbecue at David Laws house concluded a most enjoyable outing.

The amount raised was over £800 in sponsorship and entry fees. It is hoped to make the walk an annual event and with luck the support will increase year by year.

Thanks to everyone for their support.

Suzanne Martin