Hello, we are the Rambling Roses. There are 22 of us in total, we are all very different but have one thing in common, the love of walking and exploring stunning countryside’s and beauty spots.

Nine of us (Angie Irving, Bridget Buckley, Gina Williams, Jodie Myles, Kate Martin-Kendall, Nicola Martin, Rachel Fergie, Sharon Sheppard and Tesa Hunt) have decided to take on an epic fundraising adventure by climbing Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) in September with the help and support of mountain leader Damien.

We met Damien last year when he showed us the very soggy but very wonderful joys of hiking the Brecon Beacons and for some bizarre reason, he jumped at the chance to lead us motley crew again this year.

The group formed in April 2021 during COVID as a way of enabling us to get out and explore Dartmoor. Lone walking can be daunting as well as lonely but walking as a group opened up so many more opportunities and friendships. Since then, Kate has enjoyed keeping us on our toes by arranging different annual challenges for anyone in the group wanting to push themselves that bit further, whilst enjoying a fun girls’ weekend away from the stresses that life can bring to us all.

Two years ago, Kate and Rachel did a 70-mile walk along the Isle of Wight coastal path in four days and last year eight of the group climbed Pen y Fan and the Dragon's Back in the Black Mountains and Brecon Beacons. This year, nine of us are heading to Yr Wyddfa (or Snowdon).

To give us all a bit of focus and a purpose to our efforts this year, we wanted to collectively raise money for a worthy cause and as many of us have been affected by breast cancer - either directly or indirectly - we thought The Primrose Foundation here in Plymouth would be the perfect one to support.

Two of the women from the trekking group have been diagnosed with breast cancer. One has been given the all-clear and praises the team at the Primrose Breast Care Centre for being ‘instrumental in her fabulous care’. Another has only just been diagnosed so is very much at the start of her journey.

We are a close group with a strong bond, and it will certainly be an emotional challenge for us, especially when we reach the summit.

We’re all at different fitness levels, and this hike is going to be totally outside comfort zones for some of us. This is partly the reason for asking Damien to lead us again. Although most people do Snowdon under their own steam, we were happy to pass the responsibility of looking after the whole group to someone with much more experience. Damien is not only an experienced mountain leader but also extremely patient and easy-going, he will encourage and ensure everyone gets to the top ... and then back down!

It would be fantastic to raise between £1,500 - £2,000 as this would give us a huge boost plus some much-needed encouragement. Whether you donate a few pounds or a few pence it will mean the world to us all and help The Primrose Foundation continue their great work so if you can spare a few pennies or pounds please visit our JustGiving page below.

https://www.justgiving.com/page/kathryn-martin-1712443225783

Thank you for reading our story.

Love

Angie, Bridget, Gina, Jodie, Kate, Nicola, Rachel, Sharon and Tesa