The Bishop of Bath and Wells is joining a big fundraising walk for Wells Almshouse Charity and Humanity & Inclusion (a charity working with disabled and vulnerable people in situations of conflict & disaster, specifically Ukraine at the moment) in war-torn Ukraine.
Annie on her way up the Tor
It will be led by Somerset’s former Lord-Lieutenant Annie Maw in her wheelchair along a scenic 30-mile route from Bath Abbey to Wells Cathedral – in a wheelchair, and Bishop Michael is delighted to be taking part.
Annie, City of Wells Almshouses, writes,
“I feel strongly that the people of Britain have a natural desire to offer help in circumstances such as those being experienced in Ukraine at present. The Almshouses are the reflection of former generations of caring philanthropists and our endeavour will carry that national trait of compassion forwards and will help to counteract the international injustices being imposed on older people in a war torn country today.“
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, over two days on the weekend of September 13-14, is called A Modern Day Pilgrimage and will raise money for Wells Almshouses and elderly victims of Russia’s war on Ukraine.
The charity is Humanity & Inclusion which believes “giving equal access to aid for older adults and those less able to flee is critical.”
Pensioner Anatoly whose legs had to be amputated after his home in Eastern Ukraine was blasted by a Russian bomb. Money raised by the walk will go to the charity which is supporting Anatoly, who loved gardening, by buying him a wheelchair and the specialised care to help him heal sufficiently to use prosthetic legs.
Annie is appealing for people to either join her on the walk or sponsor her through her Go Fund Me here.
Festival Medical Services, who provide volunteer doctors and nurses at Glastonbury Festival and have driven and donated two ambulances full of medical supplies to Ukraine this year, are supporting the fundraising. Annie is their patron.
Well-known people are planning to take part in the walk, including Bishop Michael, who said: “We are supporting elderly people in Ukraine who are suffering great difficulties, danger and deprivation because of the invasion by Russia.”
Each of the 50 walkers will be asked to raise sponsorship which will go to the two charities – three-quarters to Ukraine and one quarter to Wells almshouses.
Anyone interested in joining the walk can email FMS’s Stephanie Sutcliffe for details on stephanie.sutcliffe@festival-medical.org
[photos credit: to Philip Welch]
posted 11 September 2025