A group of Cardiff’s top business women have launched a monthly walking challenge that will take them from the slopes of the Brecon Beacons, to the heights of Mount Kilimanjaro next year.

Organised by Llandaff-based business woman Jacquie Williams from SCS Aftercare, the ‘Welsh Women Walking’ group aims to raise a total of £100,000 through monthly training walks and other fundraising events. 

Supporting Ty Hafan, the Welsh Children’s Hospice, Breast Cancer Care, Wales and sponsored by Welsh Insurance broking to financial services company Thomas, Carroll plc, the initiative aims to raise awareness of the health benefits of an active lifestyle.
In preparation for the climb in February 2010, the group is undertaking a series of monthly treks on the first Sunday of each month. Over eighty women attended a special briefing event also assisted by Darwin Grey Solicitors ahead of the walking programme, featuring Chief Executive of the Principality, Peter Griffiths, who has conquered Mount Kilimanjaro himself.

Jacquie Williams said, “Walking is something I am really passionate about, and being able to do it regularly with a group of inspirational and talented women for charity is a great opportunity. It’s also very good for the wellbeing.

“We want to encourage as many women as possible to discover the health benefits of walking as a low impact but highly beneficial form of cardio-vascular exercise. So even if you don’t want to do the Kilimanjaro climb, we really want to see people doing the monthly training walks.”

Gwenllian Davies, of Thomas, Carroll Group said, “Having completed a hat trick of Three Peaks Challenges, this is something I was really keen to get involved with on both a personal and business level. 

“As a Company we do a lot to help our staff keep fit and healthy and that’s why we supported the launch of this initiative. I see the walks as another way of keeping fit, networking with likeminded women and raising money for our company charity Ty Hafan.”
Chief Executive of the Principality, Peter Griffiths who is mentoring the group said, “Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro was one of the most significant experiences of my life, and gave me a fresh perspective on my approach to business and life in general.
It is a fantastic team-building exercise and pushes you to your psychological and physical limits. It really is a test of your resolve and is something I would certainly encourage people to do.”

Over 30 women have expressed an interest in climbing Kilimanjaro. If you would like to get involved in the monthly walks please contact Jacquie on kili@scsaftercare.co.uk .