Young people take a hike for Lesotho (From Penarth Times)

Young people take a hike for Lesotho

LAST Tuesday six members of the Lesotho 2006 team met in Knighton after between them completing the 177-mile hike along Offa's Dyke Path National Trail, which runs from Chepstow to Prestatyn.

Lesotho 2006 is a project organised by young people from Penarth to send a team over to a small village called Peka to take part in activities with the local school and community.

The group will pay their own transport costs, and are raising funds for their project and to pay for essential supplies for the local community.

Lesotho is Wales' twin country and some similarities can be drawn, for example size, flag and religion.

However Lesotho is the tenth poorest country in the world and has one of the highest rates of Aids/HIV and unemployment.

The hike was undertaken as a sponsored event and two teams set out, one from Chepstow and one from Prestatyn, with the aim of meeting at the centre point, Knighton.

The northern and longer section was walked by Tim Cox, Tom Massey and Hugh Everett, while the southern group started with David Turnbull, Jen Hurley, Michael Graham and Tamsyn Mackay, with Patrick Heery joining from his holiday after the first day.

Unfortunately Jen and Michael had to pull out following injury, but the rest of the group managed to complete the section meeting their northern counterparts a day earlier than planned on Tuesday, August 9.

Both groups enjoyed their experience walking through some of the most beautiful countryside and rural towns along the border between England and Wales.

The group hope to have raised at least £850 between them, although the final total is not yet known.

If anyone would like to be added to the list of sponsors please contact David on 02920 251558 or Tim on 02920 708952.

Information about Lesotho 2006 can be found on the website www.freewebs.com/lesotho2006