FORMER Lord-Lieutenant of Somerset Annie Maw is about to embark on her latest charity challenge.

Annie – in the wheelchair she has used for more than two decades – is to head up a team of 50 walkers as they embark on a 30-mile trek from Bath Abbey to Wells Cathedral.

Breaking her spine in a near-fatal accident more than 20 years ago has never deterred Annie from fundraising for charity.

Last year, she ascended Glastonbury Tor in her wheelchair, carried by a crew of firefighters.

This year’s challenge, on the weekend of September 13 and 14, will be raising money for the vulnerable elderly at home and in war-torn Eastern Ukraine.

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Pilton resident Annie announced the challenge at the City of Wells Almshouses, where the Bishop of Bath and Wells had just rededicated their 15th century chapel after major renovation.

Bishop Michael praised rich men of the day who gave the money to build almshouses for the poor.

Annie said: “600 years ago, our Bishop Nicholas Bubwith left a bequest for the foundation of the Wells Almshouses because he cared about the vulnerable elderly.

“We are following his example as we continue his support for elderly people in here and, as he would have wished, we are also supporting elderly people in Ukraine who are suffering great difficulties, danger and deprivation because of the invasion by Russia.”

The Bishop and supporters at the refurbished Wells Almshouses

Annie is appealing for people to either join her on the walk or sponsor her through her Go Fund Me page (gofund.me/5b3076a3).

Michelle Thomas, chief executive of the almshouses, said: “We are deeply grateful to the National Lottery Heritage Fund and the many other donors who made the restoration of this wonderful historic chapel possible.

“Now we will ensure it is well used for the benefit of our community in Wells. And we will be working with Annie on her fundraising campaign.”

Each of the 50 walkers will be asked to raise £1,000 of sponsorship which will go to the two charities – three-quarters to Ukraine and one quarter to the Wells Almshouses.

Somerton-based Festival Medical Services, who provide volunteer doctors and nurses to Glastonbury Festival and have taken two ambulances full of medical supplies to Ukraine this year, are supporting the fundraising. Annie is their patron.

Anyone interested in joining the walk should email FMS’s Stephanie Sutcliffe at stephanie.sutcliffe@festival-medical.org.