Charity Walks
2006
From being bedbound with M.E. to Walking Alone across Wales for the Charity MERGE.
I suffered from M.E. for 5 years, at first bed bound, then in a wheelchair. I have made a complete recovery and have been well for over 2 1/2 years. I was diagnosed when I spent a month in hospital but was offered no treatment so I successfully turned to complementary Therapies.
In June I took the month off work and walked across Wales from the South coast to the North coast. I did this alone and I carried a rucksack weighing 15 kilo, which included a sleeping bag and a bivi bag for me to sleep rough on the way. It was well publicised by the M.E. network and I was offered two places to stay for the night by M.E. sufferers in mid-Wales.
A few friends met me occasionally to give me food and a change of clothes. My route was roughly, starting near Port Talbot, Llandovery, Tregaron, Devil's Bridge, Machynlleth, Cadair Idris, Snowdon, and North Coast.
It took me 3 weeks to complete, I started on 2nd of June and finished on 22nd June. I did this partly as a personal challenge because it’s good to be able to walk again and also to raise awareness for M.E. because I think M.E. sufferers are the forgotten people, often living between their own four walls with very little support or understanding. I also wanted to raise money for charity. I had a couple of B&B’s when the weather turned very wet and windy, otherwise I slept in a bivi bag sometimes on small campsites and sometimes on open hills. I was wearing a T-shirt that advertised the walk.
The first 2 weeks the weather was very hot often in the high 20’s and the third week was very changeable with rain and gales at times. During the walk I sometimes travelled using map and compass in remote places where I didn’t see anyone for over 20 hours. I saw wonderful scenery and had plenty of time to stop and look at the wildlife.
Sometimes I had to stay on small farm sites to get water and supplies. The camp site owners usually either didn’t charge me or donated their fee to MERGE, B&B owners greatly reduced their bills and other campers often gave me a hot drink, food or a donation. People were very supportive wherever I went and often strangers would hug me and wish me well, it was all very moving.
One evening it was pouring with rain, blowing a gale and I was looking unsuccessfully for a B&B, when a lady shook me by the hand and said “I’m Megan would you like to come home with me, I don’t have a spare bed but you can sleep on my lounge floor.” Thanks Megan for your generosity. You hear so many stories about bad people, it’s a shame that we don’t hear more about all the good people. Most people genuinely were interested to learn more about M.E.
After 3 days I had walked 51 miles in very hot weather and my ankles had swollen and I had a couple of small blisters. I slowed down my pace for a few days and gave myself Em-Power Therapy daily and occasional Reiki. My symptoms soon disappeared and my body got used to the new routine and I just seemed to get fitter as I went along.
I talked to lots of people along the way about my journey both through M.E. and Wales. I seemed to be instinctively drawn to M.E. sufferers, I walked past a remote country cottage and the builders outside took me in an introduced me to the owner who had M.E. I was invited to stay for lunch. I walked passed a shop and instinctively felt the need to go back and go in, it turned out the lady serving had M.E. I had chance meetings with other sufferers and their families. I felt very guided and protected during the journey. But I always had total faith that I would be okay although other people worried about me travelling alone.
By the 30th July I had raised £2,240 for MERGE and I still have some to collect. Thanks to everyone who donated.
I have a support email for M.E. sufferers and their carers and you’re welcome to email me at gwyn@gwynhopkins.co.uk
I can now say I’m glad I had M.E. because I’m a happier healthier person with a whole new confidence in life. I’ve learnt so much from my illness. I’ve also made so many good friends, many of who were the therapists that helped in my recovery. I’m living proof that natural holistic healing really works.
I’m a 55 year old grandmother that’s never been so fit in her life.
Gwyneth Hopkins 2006
In 2007 I set off in Shropshire to walk over a hundred miles following energy lines that join churches and ancient sites.
Unfortunately on the forth day of walking, I spent the day walking in torentual rain through and round floods until in the end I had to give up as I was getting cut off.
A very kind local drove me 5 miles to Ludlow station and checked the trains were still running before leaving me there. As soon as he drove away they announced all trains were cancelled due to floods.
A friend drove up to fetch me but had to follow detours to avoid floods and eventally got to me about 9 pm, I was in my survival bag on the station trying to keep warm.
That evening the 2 rivers in Tenbury Wells where I had been heading burst there banks and flooded the town. Ludlow also got flooded and a bridge & cottage fell into the river.
As usual the angels must have been with me!
In 2008 I had more success walking the energy lines. First in June I Walked from Whiteleaved Oak on the border of Worcestershire, Gloucester and Herefordshire 120 miles to Machynlleth and then on to the coast at Towyn.
Then in July I walked 110 miles from Whiteleaved Oak to Llandovery. These two walks raised over £900 for "Get Kids Going" a charity that makes specialist and sports wheelchairs for children.
In 2009 I walked 110 miles from Llantwit Major, zigzagging across South Wales to Whiteleaved Oak.
Print this page
