Eric Goulden from Bangor is taking on an extra special fundraising challenge in aid of St John Ambulance Cymru over the next year, having committed to walking the entire perimeter of Wales, including Offa’s Dyke and the Wales Coast Path.
As a dedicated volunteer for the charity, Eric is passionate about supporting St John Ambulance Cymru’s work in the community and is going over and above with his fundraising efforts.
Eric is a current member of the charity’s Holyhead Division and has been a volunteer for various organisations for the last 15 years. After retiring from his engineering career last year, Eric was seeking a hands-on volunteering opportunity, so signed up to St John Ambulance Cymru.
He said:
“I was really inspired by Simon, our Divisional Officer in Charge, as he is just so committed. St John Ambulance Cymru does fantastic work and gives you skills that I believe everyone should have.”
Eric is taking on his huge 1062-mile walking challenge to raise essential funds for the charity.
“I wanted to do something different to support St John Ambulance Cymru. The charity does vital work in the community, taking pressure from the NHS and sharing lifesaving skills” he said.
Eric is a keen walker and has been training for his challenge by taking on long walks and exercising regularly in his local gym. Recently, he took on the first part of his challenge on Offa’s Dyke Path, walking 15-20 miles a day across 9 days.
He added:
“I met lots of people who were really supportive of St John Ambulance Cymru whilst I was out and about. It’s great to not only raise funds for the charity, but to also spread awareness throughout Wales about our work.”
Eric is hoping to start taking on the Wales Coast Path in September, completing the Chester to Chepstow route in 4-5 day bursts over the next few months. He is urging the people of Wales to join him on his challenge. He added:
“Whether it’s for one day or one mile, anyone is welcome to meet up and walk with me."
Eric’s fundraising page recently surpassed £13,000 and he has been overwhelmed with the support he’s had.
“I’ve enjoyed every moment of my challenge so far and it is heartwarming to know that there is so much goodwill towards St John Ambulance Cymru.”
The money Eric is raising will be supporting St John Ambulance Cymru’s lifesaving work in the community, running free first aid demonstrations in schools and community groups, supporting the NHS through essential healthcare schemes and running educational youth programmes for children aged 5+.
To support Eric’s fundraiser and to find out more about his progress, please visit his JustGiving page.
If you’d like to get in touch to walk with Eric, please reach out to him via email.
If you’d like to get involved in a fundraising challenge for the first aid charity for Wales, please visit our Fundraising page.
Gwirfoddolwr o Fangor yn cerdded 1,000 milltir o amgylch Cymru ar gyfer elusen cymorth cyntaf
Mae Eric Goulden o Fangor yn ymgymryd â her codi arian arbennig er budd St John Ambulance Cymru dros y flwyddyn nesaf, ar ôl ymrwymo i gerdded o amgylch ffin Cymru, gan gynnwys Clawdd Offa a Llwybr Arfordir Cymru.
Fel gwirfoddolwr ymroddedig i’r elusen, mae Eric yn frwd dros gefnogi gwaith St John Ambulance Cymru yn y gymuned ac mae’n mynd yr ail filltir gyda’i ymdrechion codi arian.
Mae Eric yn aelod o Adran Caergybi'r elusen ac wedi bod yn wirfoddolwr i wahanol fudiadau am y 15 mlynedd diwethaf. Ar ôl ymddeol o'i yrfa peirianneg y llynedd, roedd Eric yn chwilio am gyfle ymarferol i wirfoddoli, felly ymunodd a St John Ambulance Cymru.
Dywedodd Eric:
“Cefais fy ysbrydoli gan Simon, ein Swyddog â Gofal dros yr Adran, gan ei fod mor ymroddedig. Mae St John Ambulance Cymru yn gwneud gwaith gwych ac yn rhoi sgiliau i chi y credaf y dylai pawb eu dysgu.”
Mae Eric yn ymgymryd â'i her gerdded enfawr 1,062 milltir o hyd i godi arian hanfodol i'r elusen. Meddai:
“Roeddwn i eisiau gwneud rhywbeth gwahanol i gefnogi St John Ambulance Cymru. Mae’r elusen yn gwneud gwaith hanfodol yn y gymuned, gan gymryd pwysau oddi ar y GIG a rhannu sgiliau achub bywyd."
Mae Eric yn gerddwr brwd ac wedi bod yn hyfforddi ar gyfer ei her drwy fynd am deithiau gerdded hir ac ymarfer yn rheolaidd yn ei gampfa leol. Yn ddiweddar, ymgymerodd â rhan gyntaf ei her ar Lwybr Clawdd Offa, gan gerdded 15-20 milltir y dydd ar draws 9 diwrnod.
Ychwanegodd:
“Cwrddais â llawer o bobl a oedd yn gefnogol iawn tuag at St John Ambulance Cymru tra roeddwn i allan. Mae’n wych nid yn unig codi arian i’r elusen, ond hefyd i ledaenu ymwybyddiaeth am ein gwaith ledled Cymru.”
Mae Eric yn gobeithio dechrau ei daith ar Lwybr Arfordir Cymru ym mis Medi, gan gwblhau’r llwybr o Gaer i Gas-gwent mewn rhannau 4-5 diwrnod dros y misoedd nesaf. Mae’n annog pobl Cymru i ymuno ag ef ar ei her. Ychwanegodd:
“P’un ai am ddiwrnod cyfan neu filltir, mae croeso i unrhyw un gwrdd â fi a cherdded gyda fi."
Mae cyfanswm codi arian Eric wedi rhagori ar £13,000 yn ddiweddar ac mae wrth ei fodd gyda’r gefnogaeth y mae wedi’i dderbyn.
"Rwyf wedi mwynhau pob eiliad o fy her hyd yn hyn ac mae’n galonogol gwybod bod cymaint o ewyllys da tuag at St John Ambulance Cymru.”
Bydd yr arian y mae Eric yn ei godi yn cefnogi gwaith achub bywyd St John Ambulance Cymru yn y gymuned, yn cynnal arddangosiadau cymorth cyntaf am ddim mewn ysgolion a grwpiau cymunedol, yn cefnogi’r GIG trwy gynlluniau gofal iechyd hanfodol ac yn rhedeg rhaglenni ieuenctid addysgol i blant 5+ oed.
I gyfrannu at gyfanswm codi arian Eric ac i ddarganfod mwy am ei gynnydd, ewch i'w dudalen JustGiving.
Os hoffech gysylltu i gerdded gydag Eric, gallwch gysylltu ag ef drwy e-bost.
Os hoffech chi gymryd rhan mewn her codi arian ar gyfer elusen cymorth cyntaf Cymru, ewch i'n dudalen Codi Arian.
