The Abergavenny Neighbourhood Policing Team would like to thank everyone who contributed to their bucket collection and sponsorship on Saturday 31st March.
PC John Williams and Police Dog Toby, DS Garry Jones, CSO Chris Chaloner, CSO Craig Gadd, DS Allan Davies, PC Shane Prosser, PS John Pursey, PS Tony Patey, DS Steve Thomas, DI Mark Pope and CSO Carl Walbyoff.
Officers raised money for two charities whilst completing the South Wales Three Peaks Challenge. The first is the Richard Hunt Foundation which was set up to help Welsh service personnel and their families.
The second charity is SSAFA (Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association). SSAFA is one of the longest standing charities in the UK. It was founded in 1885 to provide welfare and support to service personnel, ex service personnel, their families and dependents. It is around twice as old as the Royal British Legion but one of the least known charities.
The team of fifteen officers tackled the ‘Gold Route’ of the trial which is a circular walk of about 20 miles and 5000 metres of ascent, which crosses over the Blorenge, Sugar Loaf and Skirrid mountains. The team was split into two groups, one finishing the route in just 6 hours and 40 minutes and the other in 9 hours. The officers also had help and support from their colleagues from the Neighbourhood Team who were at the base stations with the mobile police station. The support team offered tea, coffee and cakes to walkers and their supporters in return for charitable donations. All cakes were generously donated by Clam’s Cakes in Crickhowell, Abergavenny Waitrose, and Abergavenny Tesco’s store.
Neighbourhood Sergeant Tony Patey who took part in the trek explained, “We wanted to join our communities in Abergavenny by supporting this local event. We completed the event last year in 6 hours and 30 minutes so we’re pleased that we haven’t got that unfit during the past year!”
“The walk was very challenging but we were happy to help these two very worthwhile charities.”