Rural Solutions Anna Ridewood, raising money for the Country Trust

In 2019, the Country Trust were introduced to Rural Solutions and the two organisations immediately found common ground with similar ethics and culture; a shared love of the countryside; a wide network of enthusiastic farmers and landowners; and a passion to share these with children from disadvantaged areas.  

After hearing more about the Trust’s mission, Rural Solutions were keen to get involved and raise money to support more children to connect with the countryside, gain first-hand experiences of where their food comes from, meet real farmers and producers and connect the land that sustain us all. 

On Sunday 22nd May, Rural Solutions Advisory Consultant, Anna Ridewood, will be taking part in this year's mighty Cape Wrath Ultra Challenge. A 400km run from Fort William up to Cape Wrath (the most north-westerly point of Scotland) the route broadly follows the ‘Cape Wrath Trail’ which usually takes 20 days to complete when walking, however, the Ultra challenges participants to cover the distance in only 8 days. The terrain is hilly and rough with a lot of bog and tussock! Daily distances range from 16 – 45 miles, averaging approximately 33 miles/day. 
  
The completion rate for this event is on average 52-60% – the first biggest challenge is getting to the start line. Anna began her training in October 2021 and has been running 8 times a week. When we spoke to Anna about this challenge and how she feels about doing it Anna said it is a privilege to be able to take part in such an event and we feel this ties in nicely with all that The Country Trust do – raising money to give the children opportunities to get out and see our beautiful countryside. Some of the children that they work with have never stepped foot in a field! 

Anna says,

“I adore being out in the countryside and am a self-confessed endurance junkie. I enjoy pushing myself physically and am ‘comfortable with being uncomfortable’ having completed all sorts of weird but wonderful challenges, including a self-supported run the length of New Zealand a few years ago.

The Country Trust is a charity I feel passionately about, as I deeply understand how important it is for people to connect to the outdoors, for their physical and mental wellbeing. I'm aiming to raise £750 which will support children, some of whom have never set foot in a field before, to have the opportunity to discover the delights of the countryside and being in nature, just as I do”. 

Monies raised will directly support children living in the most deprived areas of England and North Wales. 

 

Make a donation and send Anna messages of support